Sign in

The Novel Game Master

@thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social
159 followers 266 following 124 posts

TTRPG blogger @ thenovelgamemaster.com Sci-fi & fantasy author at shannonrampe.com

PostsRepliesMedia
The Novel Game Master @thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
I had the pleasure of appearing on the GM Cellar's YouTube channel to talk about why we choose different tabletop roleplaying games. Really fun conversation with GM Christopher Campbell: youtu.be/yCYqAIE9fOY?...
youtu.be
GM Cellar Chats: Shannon Rampe
YouTube video by GM Cellar
000
The Novel Game Master @thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
This looks real cool!
010
The Novel Game Master @thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Love the art and vibes!
012
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Idle Cartulary @idlecartulary.itch.io · 15/06/2026
In which I unbox and review the new (ish) D&D starter set, Heroes of the Borderlands. Does it live up to there legacy of its venerable predecessor? Or is it an offence to the holy memory of E Gary Gygax? The answer may surprise you! idlecartulary.com/2026/06/15/i...
idlecartulary.com
I Read Heroes of the Borderlands
I Read Games reviews are me reading games when I have nothing better to do, like read a module or write or play a game. I don’t seriously believe that I can judge a game without playing it, usually…
55312
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
jay Dragon is unstoppable @jdragsky.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
i wrote a blog post about my experiences at narrascope this year, and what it was like playing Qualia by @allsees.online and ScribeOS by @antennasunite.bsky.social ! www.patreon.com/possumcreek/...
patreon.com
Cyborg Play at Narrascope | Jay Dragon (& Friends)
The University of Albany was built to resemble a decommissioned nuclear power plant, apparently. The central courtyard is surrounded by a se
23711
The Novel Game Master @thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
As some of you know, in addition to blogging, I also write sci-fi and fantasy novels, and I am thrilled to announce that my debut novel, GODS OF SKY AND DUST, will be published by @diversionbooks.bsky.social in 2027! Learn more at shannonrampe.com
021
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Woefully Encysted Creature @forlornencystment.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Continuing my series on developing the sandbox. This time, monster lairs! They can be home to one leprechaun, a clan of ogres, an entire community of elves, or anywhere in between. A "monster" is anything that isn't you, & a "lair" is anywhere it lives! #TTRPG #D&D #AD&D #OSR
forlornencystment.blogspot.com
Developing the Sandbox: Monster Lairs
This post is part of my series on developing the sandbox. You can read other posts in the series here . The series will, when necessary, go ...
0196
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Prismatic Wasteland @prismaticwasteland.com · 28/05/2026
Attention all bloggers: a new blog bandwagon appears! This time the topic is randomness in all its forms. The post includes some random tables to further randomize your ensuing post #osr #ttrpg
prismaticwasteland.com
RANDOM BLOGWAGON — Prismatic Wasteland
Issuing a challenge to all bloggers: blog about the topic of “randomness” on a random day in June. Additional random tables are provided to assist you in your posting.
37030
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
elmcat @elmc.at · 27/05/2026
google search is broken? fear not! rootring now has a search engine that lets you look for posts and contents from blogs on rootring search.rootr.ing
search.rootr.ing
Search · rootring
Search indexed posts from across rootring.
510447
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
jay Dragon is unstoppable @jdragsky.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
my new article, the three secrets of making games, is all about playing your game early, quickly, and enjoyably possumcreek.medium.com/the-three-se...
possumcreek.medium.com
The Three Secrets of Making Games
Let’s say you and I are kids on the playground. We want to play a game, but we want to play a specific game. We want to play a game that…
421773
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Night Noon Games 🔜 ArcaneCon!!! @nightnoon.games · 11/05/2026
Start your week by checking out my latest zine about being lifeguards saving the city from humans transformed into Lovecraftian monsters by some bad bud. There is public access television thrown in there too for good measure. The zine is currently itchfunding, and I'm inching towards the next goal!
nightnoongames.itch.io
Nyarlathotep's Liegemen and the Sea Weed by Night Noon Games | Michael Putlack
A strange drug is spreading throughout Sunset Hills, and it's up to the lifeguards to track down its source!
053
The Novel Game Master @thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Conversation last night with some folks in my game group about the various editions of D&D got my brain churning and I wrote a summary of each edition on my blog. Turned out over 5000 words but hopefully its a fun read! #dnd #ad&d #editionwars www.thenovelgamemaster.com/2026/04/the-...
thenovelgamemaster.com
The Many Editions of D&D
After some recent conversations with friends about various D&D editions, I thought it would be useful to compile a brief summary of differen...
0124
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Shannon Rampe @shannonrampeauthor.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Today is the last day of the @narratess.com indiebook.sale! Don't miss a chance to snag "Assistant to a Judge of Hell & Other Stories" for a buck or hundreds of other awesome indie titles that are on sale! #indieauthor #fantasy #booksky #indiefantasy
0135
The Novel Game Master @thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
My profile picture is an actual photo of the "Assistant to a Judge of Hell," a Ming dynasty era sculpture and the inspiration for the title story in "Assistant to Judge of Hell & Other Stories." Check it out for a buck!
000
The Novel Game Master @thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Looking forward to #norwescon this weekend! Here's my con schedule: Friday - hang out Saturday - hang out Sunday - hang out and sleep
000
The Novel Game Master @thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Could not agree with this more. AI is not in any way intelligent - it's an algorithmic system that lacks cognition or intent. As a result, any text produced by AI will lack meaning, because there's no real "author" behind it attempting to convey meaning.
021
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Shannon Rampe @shannonrampeauthor.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
Hot off the virtual press, it's Issue 28 of the Writers & Robots newsletter! Will Shannon survive a week of writing in the rainforest? What new blog posts have arrived for the thirsty GM? What is Shannon Reading? Find out now! mailchi.mp/97ddadb8fbb1... #amwritingfantasy #blogging #booksky
mailchi.mp
Rainforest & Robots
031
The Novel Game Master @thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
Playing @esotericebb.bsky.social and really digging it. I think my take is that I would like more gamey elements - it plays more like a visual novel than a true CRPG - but I am really enjoying the vibes, worldbuilding, and writing. I really like @bakenshake.bsky.social's review as well!
020
The Novel Game Master @thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
The Daggerheart Meatgrinder patchworkpaladin.com/2026/03/13/t...
patchworkpaladin.com
The Daggerheart Meatgrinder
Our Daggerheart game kills off characters on the regular. Surprising, but I encourage you to embrace the death, danger, and destruction.
010
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Afraid of Encounters (He/Him) @isaacisafraid.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
A DEAD PLANET, A FORSAKEN KNIGHT AND A GROUP OF STRANDED SPACEFARERS The Knight Errant: Expanded Edition is now available on itch! A science fantasy old school Tabletop RPG adventure, designed for any Mark of the Odd games. Published by @davidblandyrpgs.bsky.social Copy/Paste Co-op. Link below!
Cover of The Knight Errant: Expanded Edition. The Knight Errant is holding a sword, frozen in place. Behind him are two astronauts, a ghoul, and a shoggoth.

Written by IsaacIsaAfraid
Art by Citaaticat
Published by Copy/Paste Co-op
Made for Mark of the OddA spread showing Table of Contents, Credits, and premise for The Knight Errant: Expanded Edition.Isometric map of the locations in The Knight Errant: Expanded Edition.A spread. The left side shows the Travel, Portents, and Random Encounters explanation. The right side shows Area A. Crashed Saucer, with the flying saucer illustration and Portents table.
912959
The Novel Game Master @thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Being a good game master has a lot in common with being a good project manager, and I'd argue that applying some good project management principles to your game can make for a better experience. And no Gantt charts, I promise! www.thenovelgamemaster.com/2026/03/proj... #blog #dnd #projectmanagement
thenovelgamemaster.com
Project Management for Game Masters
A recent comment by Nick LS Whelan in our local GM hangout about the value of soft skills for GMs as well as a recent blog post on The Play ...
1218
The Novel Game Master @thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Amazing new tool from @ktrey.bsky.social! Can't wait to try this out at the table.
022
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Zak H. | Bommyknocker Press @bommyknocker.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
New blogpost, daydreaming of Mythic Bastionland: A knight can interact with the themes of a myth to draw closer to it. PLUS 12 myth-specific relics. #osr #ttrpg #blog
bommyknocker.bearblog.dev
Myth Attunement
12 new items and new houserules to draw your knights deeper into myth
13921
The Novel Game Master @thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
I absolutely love this approach to managing combat encounters - it leverages the best parts of the ICI doctrine and establishes intent before outcome. Highly recommend giving this one a read!
110
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Seraphina Garcia Ramirez 🔜 PaxU @seraphina.diceexploder.com · 10/03/2026
Triangle Agency is gorgeous, titanic, and iconic, there’s nothing quite like it, and I couldn’t do it service if you gave me 20 hours to talk about it (but we did our best with two.) It will challenge you as audience, it will elevate you as a player, and it will teach you as a designer. Come listen!
0276
The Novel Game Master @thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Gamers! Get yer Hodag Mag! The Mag is short for... MAGIC! by @hodagrpg.bsky.social Just look at the first half of this sweet comic strip about an arcane and mysterious pastry treat:
This is a screenshot from just half a page of the brilliance that is Hodag Mag #3
0122
The Novel Game Master @thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
@elmc.at serving the greater good again for all of TTRPGdom!
020
The Novel Game Master @thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Love this approach for using a d66 table to generate different settlements in a sandbox!
030
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Prismatic Wasteland @prismaticwasteland.com · 26/02/2026
Catch ‘Em All while you can! In commemoration of the 30th anniversary, I’m heistfunding a Poképocalyptic game based on Into the Odd. I call it INTO THE ODDISH! You can pre-order it now (until ???) #ttrpg #pokemon #osr
prismaticwasteland.com
Into the Oddish is Heistfunding Now — Prismatic Wasteland
Pre-Order a Pokémon tabletop roleplaying game parody of Into the Odd with Vileplume Mountain, a funhouse dungeon adventure.
11222109
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Idle Cartulary @idlecartulary.itch.io · 26/02/2026
Continuing my little series on basic dice math, I talk about advantage and its variations: idlecartulary.com/2026/02/27/t...
idlecartulary.com
Taking the Highest Die (Make Dice Work For You #4)
Make Dice Work For You is a series where I’ll regularly talk through a new way to use dice in your game. It came out of conversation surrounding What to randomise when you’re randomising, and what …
03210
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Shannon Rampe @shannonrampeauthor.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
GODS of SKY and DUST Now on submission! A jaded treasure-hunter is offered a chance at personal redemption when he and a scholar-friend discover an ancient, sentient robot that may be key to unlocking the secrets of an ancient civilization. #WSPit #OS #A #SF #F Learn more: www.shannonrampe.com
Text on a desert background: 
Gods of Sky and Dust 
Shannon Rampe
An amnesiac robot
A psychic scoundrel
A scholar out to change her world
11910
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Shannon Rampe @shannonrampeauthor.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
THE COMPANY A dungeon-lit cozy fantasy adventure in the old school style! #WSPit #Ag #NA #A #F #R learn more: www.shannonrampe.com
Illustration of a mountain town with the words The Company, Shannon Rampe
Descriptive text: A human woman with a sword and a dream,
A half-gnome thiefwho can’t resist opening every door,
And an elf sorcererss who knows more than both of them combined
On an old-school dungeon-crawling adventure!
Inspirations
Images of Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman, Dungeons & Dragons red box edition, Delicious in Dungeon by Ryoko Kui, and Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

Themes and Tropes
Found family, cozy, adventure, dungeon-lit, dungeon crawling, unexpected romance, weird magicSynopsis:
Dariel dreams of becoming an adventurer but quickly learns it's far more dangerous--and expensive—than she'd ever imagined. With help from her friends Quintus and Jase and funding from the questionable Shadow Dwarf Cabal, Dariel braves the megadungeon Mythbarrow, where she discovers wonderous treasures, surprising allies, and an unexpected romance. But dungeon delving doesn't come without risks—slime wizards, drug-addled hobgoblins, and mysterious fairies to name just a few—and to make it out alive with her friends, she'll need every bit of skill and bravery she can muster.Excerpt:
Dariel peered through each open doorway, trying to guess which way she should go and more than a little worried about stumbling into another trap. The opening the first dwarf had gone through led into a chamber filled with stacked pots, most of which looked like they’d been smashed open. The center doorway led down a short hallway that opened into another chamber, this one holding what looked like stone plinths. The third one was another hallway that sloped down further underground.
She was about to try the center doorway when she heard a scream and shouting from down the sloped hallway. She yanked her sword out of its scabbard—the loose hilt rattling a little in her grip—and charged down the hall. As she rounded the corner, it occurred to her that most sensible people would have turned and run the other way. 
Well, no one had ever called her sensible before. There was no reason she should start being sensible now.
0174
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Zine Month IS HERE!!! @zinemonth.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Join us for the last #ZiMo workshop of 2026. Where do you get good #TTRPG layout? YOU STEAL IT! At 3pm et today @clearkeep.bsky.social unleashes his next manifesto of design and invites you to join The Layout Rogues Guild. twitch.tv/TonyPlusOne 1/2
31810
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Binary @binarystar.games · 24/02/2026
The final pamphlet job for NULL_SPACE is up! (This is the last week of itchfunding. Get in while you can.) binary-star-games.itch.io/null-space
binary-star-games.itch.io
NULL_SPACE by Binary Star Games
Freelancing in the solar system of the 24th century
13027
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Magnolia Keep @magnoliakeep.itch.io · 24/02/2026
From the brilliant mind of Magnolia Keep comes the high-octane third part of Prepping Plots! This time we talk about how to onboard players into the campaign, and some tricks for learning more about the heroes! magnoliakeep.blogspot.com/2026/02/p…
magnoliakeep.blogspot.com
Prepping Plots, Part 3: Enter the Players
So you've gone ahead and  sketched out a rough outline  of where you want your campaign to go. Now all that's left is the most important ing...
0105
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Marsworms @marsworms.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Disappeared for two months now I'm back with a post over at Save vs. Worm: FISH-EATERS! a character background and some worldbuildy stuff for my late antique Iranian D&D setting. #OSR savevsworm.blogspot.com/2026/02/fish...
savevsworm.blogspot.com
Fish-Eaters of the Enlightened Empire (A Character Background for King of Kings)
These Ichthyophagi subsist on what their name is derived from, — fish. Yet only a few of them fish out in the deep, for boats to do it wi...
1239
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Clayton @explorersdesign.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
It's been a couple years since Reach of the Roach God was published, and I'm still thinking about how it pulled off stat blocks without stats. It's a load-bearing piece of tech that's criminally underused. www.explorersdesign.com/designing-lo...
explorersdesign.com
Designing Lore Blocks
An alternative to stat blocks designed for The 1 HP Dragon.
918267
The Novel Game Master @thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
I'd like to say my comment inspired this fascinating analysis of NULL_SPACE, but reading @binarystar.games's blog post, you can tell this stuff was all there waiting to rise to the surface.
131
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Valeria Loves @valerialoves.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
In an effort to bribe you into voting for me, I have once again broken my record for longest post. Enjoy my review of Daggerheart. It's full of statements that are approximately true. valerialoves.com/daggerheart-...
valerialoves.com
Daggerheart - a Dishonest Review (full of Lies)
#Daggerheart #CriticalRole #Gaslighting #BigDogBeefstink'sCigarettesthatareGoodforYou
1210920
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Binary @binarystar.games · 18/02/2026
Pulling the idea of "cyberpunk-esque" out from several days ago because I wanted to expand on that: What is the intended vibe of NULL_SPACE, exactly? 🧵
1189
The Novel Game Master @thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
As a reformed Instructional Designer, I absolutely adore this!
130
The Novel Game Master @thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
I've been enjoying using factions in my game to evolve the world outside of just what the PCs are doing. Here's a simple procedure I use to figure out what the factions are doing and how: www.thenovelgamemaster.com/2026/02/runn... #sandbox #ttrpg #blogpost #osr #dnd
thenovelgamemaster.com
Running Factions and Faction Turns
Factions that pursue their own agendas regardless of the PCs are a great tool to bring your RPG setting to life, and can help the world feel...
1158
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Clayton @explorersdesign.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
And you can vote for all of the current contenders for round 3 in this form! forms.gle/bgzyuLaCQAYF...
forms.gle
The Bloggies: Round 3
Welcome to The Bloggies. You're currently voting in the third round of all five brackets. Why are all of the categories included? Up until this point there were a lot of matchups. Now there are only t...
01710
The Novel Game Master @thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
Time to vote! www.explorersdesign.com/bloggies-2026/ #bloggies #ttrpg #rpgblogs
explorersdesign.com
The Bloggies 2026
A yearly celebration of blogging in tabletop roleplaying games.
032
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
elmcat @elmc.at · 13/02/2026
Four days in, and 53 nominated Bloggies posts have already been read and recorded by wonderful authors and volunteers, then published on the We Read The Bloggies podcast. Truly incredible!
podcast.bloggies.org
We Read The Bloggies (@WeReadTheBloggies) • Episodes
We’re volunteers turning Bloggies-nominated blog posts into audio. So you can enjoy them anywhere, in a more accessible format.
0248
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Agreeable Chatter @69dinguses.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Great post from Viridian Void on the challenging conversation we all eventually have to have with our parents about rpgs. He is wisely not on Bluesky 😊 viridianvoid.bearblog.dev/how-i-explai...
095
The Novel Game Master @thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
This was a fun read
010
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Amanda P. will be at PAX Unplugged @weirdwonder.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
The awesome @bommyknocker.bsky.social, @elmc.at, Grace of Choir of Fire @seraphimseraphina.bsky.social and many community members have organized a group recording effort of every Bloggies post as podcast episodes inspired by Blogs on Tape!https://podcast.bloggies.org/
podcast.bloggies.org
We Read The Bloggies (@WeReadTheBloggies) • Activity
We’re volunteers turning Bloggies-nominated blog posts into audio. So you can enjoy them anywhere, in a more accessible format.
28045
Reposted by The Novel Game Master
Clayton @explorersdesign.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
The Bloggies' page has updates! 1. "We Read the Bloggies" A fan-made podcast is live and linked! 2. A new submission has been nominated, "Book [Verb] Play" in Theory. The other post was removed on the author's request. 3. I've redesigned the page to keep things short and sweet. Happy reading!
explorersdesign.com
The Bloggies 2026
A yearly celebration of blogging in tabletop roleplaying games.
05231
The Novel Game Master @thenovelgamemaster.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Excited to get my hands on a print copy of NULL_SPACE by @binarystar.games binary-star-games.itch.io/null-space
binary-star-games.itch.io
NULL_SPACE by Binary Star Games
Freelancing in the solar system of the 24th century
131