{"id":1440,"date":"2020-05-03T22:04:17","date_gmt":"2020-05-03T19:04:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/?page_id=1440"},"modified":"2024-01-05T11:47:24","modified_gmt":"2024-01-05T09:47:24","slug":"front-page","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/","title":{"rendered":"Front Page"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-rounded\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/cropped-Site-Banner-Jerome-1024x450.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-888\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/cropped-Site-Banner-Jerome-1024x450.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/cropped-Site-Banner-Jerome-300x132.png 300w, https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/cropped-Site-Banner-Jerome-768x337.png 768w, https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/cropped-Site-Banner-Jerome.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>I design and write; mostly sardonic, mostly games, mostly geek counterculture.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The blog&#8217;s purpose is to orient, structure and inspire my creative work. The current aspiration is to keep up with a weekly newsletter, and to crank out the occasional essay on more significant topics.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/bePatron?u=34661083\" data-patreon-widget-type=\"become-patron-button\">Become a Patron!<\/a><script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/c6.patreon.com\/becomePatronButton.bundle.js\"><\/script><p><em>I accept economical incentive; please consider pledging your support. It helps retain my illusion of self-worth.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><div class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-holder\" id=\"ub-tabbed-content-b4673c36-8f5e-4abc-ab3a-fe5823bee0c6\" data-active-tabs=\"[3]\" style=\"\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tab-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"tablist\" class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tabs-title ub-mobile-hide ub-tablet-hide\" style=\"justify-content: flex-start; \"><div role=\"tab\" id=\"ub-tabbed-content-b4673c36-8f5e-4abc-ab3a-fe5823bee0c6-tab-0\" aria-controls=\"ub-tabbed-content-b4673c36-8f5e-4abc-ab3a-fe5823bee0c6-panel-0\" aria-selected=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tab-title-wrap\" style=\"--ub-tabbed-active-title-color: inherit; --ub-tabbed-active-title-background-color: #f0e7d0; text-align: left; \" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tab-title\">Latest Newsletters<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><div role=\"tab\" id=\"ub-tabbed-content-b4673c36-8f5e-4abc-ab3a-fe5823bee0c6-tab-1\" aria-controls=\"ub-tabbed-content-b4673c36-8f5e-4abc-ab3a-fe5823bee0c6-panel-1\" aria-selected=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tab-title-wrap\" style=\"--ub-tabbed-active-title-color: inherit; --ub-tabbed-active-title-background-color: #f0e7d0; text-align: left; \" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tab-title\">Recent Essays<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><div role=\"tab\" id=\"ub-tabbed-content-b4673c36-8f5e-4abc-ab3a-fe5823bee0c6-tab-2\" aria-controls=\"ub-tabbed-content-b4673c36-8f5e-4abc-ab3a-fe5823bee0c6-panel-2\" aria-selected=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tab-title-wrap\" style=\"--ub-tabbed-active-title-color: inherit; --ub-tabbed-active-title-background-color: #f0e7d0; text-align: left; \" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tab-title\">Latest Comments<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><div role=\"tab\" id=\"ub-tabbed-content-b4673c36-8f5e-4abc-ab3a-fe5823bee0c6-tab-3\" aria-controls=\"ub-tabbed-content-b4673c36-8f5e-4abc-ab3a-fe5823bee0c6-panel-3\" aria-selected=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tab-title-wrap active\" style=\"--ub-tabbed-title-background-color: #f0e7d0; --ub-tabbed-active-title-color: inherit; --ub-tabbed-active-title-background-color: #f0e7d0; text-align: left; \" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tab-title\">Project Board<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><div role=\"tab\" id=\"ub-tabbed-content-b4673c36-8f5e-4abc-ab3a-fe5823bee0c6-tab-4\" aria-controls=\"ub-tabbed-content-b4673c36-8f5e-4abc-ab3a-fe5823bee0c6-panel-4\" aria-selected=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tab-title-wrap\" style=\"--ub-tabbed-active-title-color: inherit; --ub-tabbed-active-title-background-color: #f0e7d0; text-align: left; \" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tab-title\">Current Poll<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><div role=\"tab\" id=\"ub-tabbed-content-b4673c36-8f5e-4abc-ab3a-fe5823bee0c6-tab-5\" aria-controls=\"ub-tabbed-content-b4673c36-8f5e-4abc-ab3a-fe5823bee0c6-panel-5\" aria-selected=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tab-title-wrap\" style=\"--ub-tabbed-active-title-color: inherit; --ub-tabbed-active-title-background-color: #f0e7d0; text-align: left; \" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tab-title\">Meta Links<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><div role=\"tab\" id=\"ub-tabbed-content-b4673c36-8f5e-4abc-ab3a-fe5823bee0c6-tab-6\" aria-controls=\"ub-tabbed-content-b4673c36-8f5e-4abc-ab3a-fe5823bee0c6-panel-6\" aria-selected=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tab-title-wrap\" style=\"--ub-tabbed-active-title-color: inherit; --ub-tabbed-active-title-background-color: #f0e7d0; text-align: left; \" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tab-title\">New Here?<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tabs-content ub-tabbed-content-mobile-accordion ub-tabbed-content-tablet-accordion\" style=\"\"><div style=\"--ub-tabbed-active-accordion-background-color: #f0e7d0; --ub-tabbed-accordion-background-color: transparent; --ub-tabbed-accordion-color: inherit; --ub-tabbed-active-accordion-color: inherit; \" class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-accordion-toggle ub-tablet-display ub-mobile-display\">Latest Newsletters<\/div><div role=\"tabpanel\" class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tab-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-tabbed-content-f64b3ad8-63f7-4937-88e1-892ffbe6ca90-panel-0\" aria-labelledby=\"ub-tabbed-content-f64b3ad8-63f7-4937-88e1-892ffbe6ca90-tab-0\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab-anchor=\"newsletters\">\n\n<div class=\"display-posts-listing\"><div class=\"listing-item\"><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2023\/03\/09\/nod-138-mythos-development\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" thumbnail=\"thumbnail\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Newsletter-Banner-139-up-1676065359.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a> <a class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2023\/03\/09\/nod-138-mythos-development\/\">NoD #138 \u2014 Mythos Development<\/a> <span class=\"excerpt-dash\">-<\/span> <span class=\"excerpt\">Featuring an AP report series on our Cthulhu campaign.<\/span><\/div><div class=\"listing-item\"><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2023\/02\/12\/nod-137-mythos-development\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" thumbnail=\"thumbnail\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Newsletter-Banner-138-up-1676064423.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a> <a class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2023\/02\/12\/nod-137-mythos-development\/\">NoD #137 \u2014 Mythos Development<\/a> <span class=\"excerpt-dash\">-<\/span> <span class=\"excerpt\">Featuring an AP report series on our Cthulhu campaign.<\/span><\/div><div class=\"listing-item\"><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2023\/01\/29\/nod-136-creative-brooding\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" thumbnail=\"thumbnail\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Newsletter-Banner-137-up-1674786911.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a> <a class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2023\/01\/29\/nod-136-creative-brooding\/\">NoD #136 \u2014 Creative Brooding<\/a> <span class=\"excerpt-dash\">-<\/span> <span class=\"excerpt\">Featuring a dash of witticism after dropping the newsletter schedule again.<\/span><\/div><div class=\"listing-item\"><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2023\/01\/15\/nod-135-mythos-investigation\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" thumbnail=\"thumbnail\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Newsletter-Banner-136-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a> <a class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2023\/01\/15\/nod-135-mythos-investigation\/\">NoD #135 \u2014 Mythos Investigation<\/a> <span class=\"excerpt-dash\">-<\/span> <span class=\"excerpt\">Featuring some basic precepts of my upcoming Call of Cthulhu game.<\/span><\/div><div class=\"listing-item\"><a class=\"image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2023\/01\/12\/nod-134-lost-at-the-mall\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" thumbnail=\"thumbnail\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Newsletter-Banner-135-up-1673488472.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a> <a class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2023\/01\/12\/nod-134-lost-at-the-mall\/\">NoD #134 \u2014 Lost at the mall<\/a> <span class=\"excerpt-dash\">-<\/span> <span class=\"excerpt\">Featuring my recent adventures in urban spaces, and getting lost therein.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/newsletter\/\">Newsletter Archive<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div><div style=\"--ub-tabbed-active-accordion-background-color: #f0e7d0; --ub-tabbed-accordion-background-color: transparent; --ub-tabbed-accordion-color: inherit; --ub-tabbed-active-accordion-color: inherit; \" class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-accordion-toggle ub-tablet-display ub-mobile-display\">Recent Essays<\/div><div role=\"tabpanel\" class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tab-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-tabbed-content-f64b3ad8-63f7-4937-88e1-892ffbe6ca90-panel-1\" aria-labelledby=\"ub-tabbed-content-f64b3ad8-63f7-4937-88e1-892ffbe6ca90-tab-1\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab-anchor=\"essays\">\n\n<div class=\"display-posts-listing\"><div class=\"listing-item\"><a class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2021\/02\/18\/the-sacrament-of-death\/\">The Sacrament of Death<\/a> <span class=\"excerpt-dash\">-<\/span> <span class=\"excerpt\">Some RPG theory about the way simmy games with high character lethality adapt to grief.<\/span><\/div><div class=\"listing-item\"><a class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2020\/12\/16\/treatment-for-muster-the-old-school-dd-primer\/\">Treatment for Muster, the old school D&amp;D primer<\/a> <span class=\"excerpt-dash\">-<\/span> <span class=\"excerpt\">A detailed writing plan for an introductory book about old school D&amp;D.<\/span><\/div><div class=\"listing-item\"><a class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2020\/12\/02\/c2020-redux-character-creation\/\">C2020 Redux: Character Creation<\/a> <span class=\"excerpt-dash\">-<\/span> <span class=\"excerpt\">I'm revisioning the classic rpg Cyberpunk 2020 in a series of articles. This one's about character creation.<\/span><\/div><div class=\"listing-item\"><a class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2020\/05\/14\/observations-on-gns-simulationism\/\">Observations on GNS Simulationism<\/a> <span class=\"excerpt-dash\">-<\/span> <span class=\"excerpt\">\"Simulationism\" is one of three creative agenda modes posited by GNS theory. It is generally considered the least understood of the three.  Let's see what we know about it.<\/span><\/div><div class=\"listing-item\"><a class=\"title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2020\/04\/30\/c2020-redux-core-mechanics-pt-ii\/\">C2020 Redux: Core Mechanics Pt. II<\/a> <span class=\"excerpt-dash\">-<\/span> <span class=\"excerpt\">A follow-up about C2020 Redux, my attempt at revisioning a classic roleplaying game. This article has more core game mechanics required before moving on to more specific topics.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/essay-archive\/\">Essay Archive<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div><div style=\"--ub-tabbed-active-accordion-background-color: #f0e7d0; --ub-tabbed-accordion-background-color: transparent; --ub-tabbed-accordion-color: inherit; --ub-tabbed-active-accordion-color: inherit; \" class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-accordion-toggle ub-tablet-display ub-mobile-display\">Latest Comments<\/div><div role=\"tabpanel\" class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tab-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-tabbed-content-f64b3ad8-63f7-4937-88e1-892ffbe6ca90-panel-2\" aria-labelledby=\"ub-tabbed-content-f64b3ad8-63f7-4937-88e1-892ffbe6ca90-tab-2\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab-anchor=\"comments\">\n<ol class=\"has-avatars has-dates has-excerpts wp-block-latest-comments\"><li class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/72a8f34722b1f1751bda675c43283e01953a3f46b13270dcd834e4642fd2ea68?s=48&amp;d=retro&amp;r=g\" srcset=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/72a8f34722b1f1751bda675c43283e01953a3f46b13270dcd834e4642fd2ea68?s=96&amp;d=retro&amp;r=g 2x\" class=\"avatar avatar-48 photo wp-block-latest-comments__comment-avatar\" height=\"48\" width=\"48\"><article><footer class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-meta\"><span class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-author\">Johann<\/span> on <a class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2023\/03\/09\/nod-138-mythos-development\/#comment-1148\">NoD #138 \u2014 Mythos Development<\/a><time datetime=\"2023-03-09T23:59:45+02:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-date\">09\/03\/2023<\/time><\/footer><div class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-excerpt\"><p>Good point about the character\/player divide not automatically being a good or necessary thing. Given the nature of the game\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div><\/article><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/72a8f34722b1f1751bda675c43283e01953a3f46b13270dcd834e4642fd2ea68?s=48&amp;d=retro&amp;r=g\" srcset=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/72a8f34722b1f1751bda675c43283e01953a3f46b13270dcd834e4642fd2ea68?s=96&amp;d=retro&amp;r=g 2x\" class=\"avatar avatar-48 photo wp-block-latest-comments__comment-avatar\" height=\"48\" width=\"48\"><article><footer class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-meta\"><span class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-author\">Johann<\/span> on <a class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2023\/02\/12\/nod-137-mythos-development\/#comment-1147\">NoD #137 \u2014 Mythos Development<\/a><time datetime=\"2023-02-15T21:10:31+02:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-date\">15\/02\/2023<\/time><\/footer><div class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-excerpt\"><p>I like this: the missing girl, the mysterious scratches, the family&#8217;s life, that path&#8230; I can feel the atmosphere thickening\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div><\/article><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment\"><article><footer class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-meta\"><a class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-author\" href=\"https:\/\/ropeblogi.wordpress.com\/2023\/02\/04\/theory-review-96\/\">Theory review #96 \u2013 ropeblogi<\/a> on <a class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2023\/01\/29\/nod-136-creative-brooding\/#comment-1146\">NoD #136 \u2014 Creative Brooding<\/a><time datetime=\"2023-02-04T11:43:52+02:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-date\">04\/02\/2023<\/time><\/footer><div class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-excerpt\"><p>[\u2026] NoD #136 \u2014 Creative brooding by Eero Tuovinen includes a theory of a game that can be recovered from\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div><\/article><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6c84c04fe8670dd937b86abe0d7baba003f09b5cf4531d9eaf1b99170da8e687?s=48&amp;d=retro&amp;r=g\" srcset=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6c84c04fe8670dd937b86abe0d7baba003f09b5cf4531d9eaf1b99170da8e687?s=96&amp;d=retro&amp;r=g 2x\" class=\"avatar avatar-48 photo wp-block-latest-comments__comment-avatar\" height=\"48\" width=\"48\"><article><footer class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-meta\"><span class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-author\">Picador<\/span> on <a class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2023\/01\/15\/nod-135-mythos-investigation\/#comment-1145\">NoD #135 \u2014 Mythos Investigation<\/a><time datetime=\"2023-01-18T00:52:11+02:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-date\">18\/01\/2023<\/time><\/footer><div class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-excerpt\"><p>&#8220;Occupation doesn\u2019t really do much for CoC itself (it\u2019s better than nothing, but far from ideal), but it\u2019s actually a\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div><\/article><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6c84c04fe8670dd937b86abe0d7baba003f09b5cf4531d9eaf1b99170da8e687?s=48&amp;d=retro&amp;r=g\" srcset=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6c84c04fe8670dd937b86abe0d7baba003f09b5cf4531d9eaf1b99170da8e687?s=96&amp;d=retro&amp;r=g 2x\" class=\"avatar avatar-48 photo wp-block-latest-comments__comment-avatar\" height=\"48\" width=\"48\"><article><footer class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-meta\"><span class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-author\">Picador<\/span> on <a class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2023\/01\/08\/nod-133-new-cthulhu\/#comment-1144\">NoD #133 \u2014 New Cthulhu<\/a><time datetime=\"2023-01-13T20:36:20+02:00\" class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-date\">13\/01\/2023<\/time><\/footer><div class=\"wp-block-latest-comments__comment-excerpt\"><p>Cute idea, I might go that way. Thanks!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/article><\/li><\/ol>\n<\/div><div style=\"--ub-tabbed-active-accordion-background-color: #f0e7d0; --ub-tabbed-accordion-background-color: transparent; --ub-tabbed-accordion-color: inherit; --ub-tabbed-active-accordion-color: inherit; \" class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-accordion-toggle active ub-tablet-display ub-mobile-display\">Project Board<\/div><div role=\"tabpanel\" class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tab-content-wrap active\" id=\"ub-tabbed-content-f64b3ad8-63f7-4937-88e1-892ffbe6ca90-panel-3\" aria-labelledby=\"ub-tabbed-content-f64b3ad8-63f7-4937-88e1-892ffbe6ca90-tab-3\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab-anchor=\"projectboard\">\n\n<p>This is what I&#8217;m trying to do right now, creatively speaking. I update the project board when I actually finish something off it, so hopefully more once a season than once a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Priority Projects<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegogo.com\/projects\/muster-an-old-school-primer?create_edit=true#\/\"><s>Write Muster<\/s><\/a><\/strong> \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drivethrurpg.com\/product\/413382\/Muster?affiliate_id=197393\">done!<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/coup-workbook-partials\/\"><strong><s>Pull together the Coup Workbooks<\/s><\/strong><\/a> \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2021\/10\/31\/new-on-desk-96-cwp-launch-party\/\">done!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I went on a blogging hiatus for what, like half a year, while finishing Muster. I&#8217;ll seek to write the newsletter at double-pace to &#8220;catch up&#8221; on the lost months for a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After I&#8217;ve re-established the routine for that, I&#8217;m hoping to do some discretionary light writing. Specifically:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>More Coup Workbook Partials \u2014<\/strong> I think CWPs are great fun, and there is still a lot of great content that I haven&#8217;t touched for those. Another series of ten would be excellent, alongside some revision for the last batch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Refresh the Essay Pipeline \u2014<\/strong> Around the time I established the Muster project I very cleverly also started a Patreon program for mixed writing. Time to get more active with that and see whether it has real legs as an activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Essay Pipeline<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Various essays I&#8217;ve promised to write. I&#8217;ll get to these as soon as discretionary writing time appears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2020\/05\/03\/new-on-desk-18-the-manic-period\/#4-state-of-the-productive-facilities\">Many Faces of Ars Magica<\/a><\/strong><br><strong>Play my turn at <a href=\"https:\/\/writingames.wordpress.com\/\">Writin\u2019 with Games<\/a><\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2020\/05\/31\/new-on-desk-22-the-neo-formalist-school\/#6-state-of-the-productive-facilities\"><strong>Historiography of D&amp;D<\/strong><\/a><br><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/posts\/may-poll-37580983\">Outlining an old school D&amp;D DMG<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/div><div style=\"--ub-tabbed-active-accordion-background-color: #f0e7d0; --ub-tabbed-accordion-background-color: transparent; --ub-tabbed-accordion-color: inherit; --ub-tabbed-active-accordion-color: inherit; \" class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-accordion-toggle ub-tablet-display ub-mobile-display\">Current Poll<\/div><div role=\"tabpanel\" class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tab-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-tabbed-content-f64b3ad8-63f7-4937-88e1-892ffbe6ca90-panel-4\" aria-labelledby=\"ub-tabbed-content-f64b3ad8-63f7-4937-88e1-892ffbe6ca90-tab-4\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab-anchor=\"poll\">\n\n<p><em>The writing polls are there to discover which of my varied interests interest you as well; please vote to help me decide what is worth our attention.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"polls-7\" class=\"wp-polls\">\n\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>[September 2020] What should I write about in more depth?<\/strong><\/p><div id=\"polls-7-ans\" class=\"wp-polls-ans\"><ul class=\"wp-polls-ul\">\n\t\t<li>[theory] A Big Model overview <small>(65%, 22 Votes)<\/small><div class=\"pollbar\" style=\"width: 65%;\" title=\"[theory] A Big Model overview (65% | 22 Votes)\"><\/div><\/li>\n\t\t<li>[theory] old school D&amp;D campaign structure <small>(18%, 6 Votes)<\/small><div class=\"pollbar\" style=\"width: 18%;\" title=\"[theory] old school D&amp;amp;D campaign structure (18% | 6 Votes)\"><\/div><\/li>\n\t\t<li>[development] Overview of the Coup Basic D&amp;D chassis <small>(9%, 3 Votes)<\/small><div class=\"pollbar\" style=\"width: 9%;\" title=\"[development] Overview of the Coup Basic D&amp;amp;D chassis (9% | 3 Votes)\"><\/div><\/li>\n\t\t<li>[theory] the numinous genius of GMing <small>(3%, 1 Votes)<\/small><div class=\"pollbar\" style=\"width: 3%;\" title=\"[theory] the numinous genius of GMing (3% | 1 Votes)\"><\/div><\/li>\n\t\t<li>[development] Many Faces of Amber <small>(3%, 1 Votes)<\/small><div class=\"pollbar\" style=\"width: 3%;\" title=\"[development] Many Faces of Amber (3% | 1 Votes)\"><\/div><\/li>\n\t\t<li>[design] more C2020 Redux <small>(3%, 1 Votes)<\/small><div class=\"pollbar\" style=\"width: 3%;\" title=\"[design] more C2020 Redux (3% | 1 Votes)\"><\/div><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul><p style=\"text-align: center;\">Total Voters: <strong>25<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" id=\"poll_7_nonce\" name=\"wp-polls-nonce\" value=\"0a34ce4180\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"polls-7-loading\" class=\"wp-polls-loading\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-polls\/images\/loading.gif\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading ...\" title=\"Loading ...\" class=\"wp-polls-image\" \/>&nbsp;Loading ...<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><div style=\"--ub-tabbed-active-accordion-background-color: #f0e7d0; --ub-tabbed-accordion-background-color: transparent; --ub-tabbed-accordion-color: inherit; --ub-tabbed-active-accordion-color: inherit; \" class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-accordion-toggle ub-tablet-display ub-mobile-display\">Meta Links<\/div><div role=\"tabpanel\" class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tab-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-tabbed-content-f64b3ad8-63f7-4937-88e1-892ffbe6ca90-panel-5\" aria-labelledby=\"ub-tabbed-content-f64b3ad8-63f7-4937-88e1-892ffbe6ca90-tab-5\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab-anchor=\"meta\">\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/feed\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-966\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Feed-Icon.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"20\" height=\"36\"> RSS Feed<\/a> \u2014 Pull notifications for your feed reader<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/email-subscription\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1180\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Email-Icon.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Email-Icon.png 512w, https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Email-Icon-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Email-Icon-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Email-Icon-24x24.png 24w, https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Email-Icon-36x36.png 36w, https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Email-Icon-48x48.png 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 22px) 100vw, 22px\" \/> Email Subscription<\/a> \u2014 Push notifications into your mailbox<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/isabout\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"21\" height=\"21\" class=\"wp-image-1541\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Patreon-Icon.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 21px;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Patreon-Icon.png 512w, https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Patreon-Icon-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Patreon-Icon-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Patreon-Icon-24x24.png 24w, https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Patreon-Icon-36x36.png 36w, https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Patreon-Icon-48x48.png 48w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 21px) 100vw, 21px\" \/> Become a patron<\/a> \u2014 Fund the blog<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/archive\/\">Posts Archive<\/a> \u2014 all posts chronologically<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/about\/\">About<\/a> \u2014 more about me<br><a href=\"https:\/\/writingames.wordpress.com\/\">Writin&#8217; with Games<\/a> \u2014 my play-by-post blog<br><a href=\"http:\/\/arkenstonepublishing.net\">Arkenstone Publishing<\/a> \u2014 my indie publishing imprint<\/p>\n\n\n<form role=\"search\" method=\"get\" action=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/\" class=\"wp-block-search__button-outside wp-block-search__icon-button wp-block-search\"><label class=\"wp-block-search__label\" for=\"wp-block-search__input-1\">Search<\/label><div class=\"wp-block-search__inside-wrapper\"><input class=\"wp-block-search__input\" id=\"wp-block-search__input-1\" placeholder=\"Search...\" value=\"\" type=\"search\" name=\"s\" required><button aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"wp-block-search__button has-icon wp-element-button\" type=\"submit\"><svg class=\"search-icon\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M13 5c-3.3 0-6 2.7-6 6 0 1.4.5 2.7 1.3 3.7l-3.8 3.8 1.1 1.1 3.8-3.8c1 .8 2.3 1.3 3.7 1.3 3.3 0 6-2.7 6-6S16.3 5 13 5zm0 10.5c-2.5 0-4.5-2-4.5-4.5s2-4.5 4.5-4.5 4.5 2 4.5 4.5-2 4.5-4.5 4.5z\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t<\/svg><\/button><\/div><\/form>\n<\/div><div style=\"--ub-tabbed-active-accordion-background-color: #f0e7d0; --ub-tabbed-accordion-background-color: transparent; --ub-tabbed-accordion-color: inherit; --ub-tabbed-active-accordion-color: inherit; \" class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-accordion-toggle ub-tablet-display ub-mobile-display\">New Here?<\/div><div role=\"tabpanel\" class=\"wp-block-ub-tabbed-content-tab-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-tabbed-content-f64b3ad8-63f7-4937-88e1-892ffbe6ca90-panel-6\" aria-labelledby=\"ub-tabbed-content-f64b3ad8-63f7-4937-88e1-892ffbe6ca90-tab-6\" tabindex=\"0\" data-tab-anchor=\"intro\">\n\n<p>The blog&#8217;s essentially a varietee show starring me, so the topics do wander a bit. It&#8217;s probably about tabletop roleplaying for the most part. Here are some greatest hits you might want to look at to figure out whether this is for you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2020\/03\/08\/new-on-desk-10-007-by-the-way-of-credux\/\">We played a tactical shootout rpg where everybody played James Bond.<\/a> I thoughts it showed some promise, and the premise of having Sean Connery shooting at Timothy Dalton was amusing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2020\/02\/20\/cyberpunk-2020-redux\/\">I&#8217;ve been remaking Cyberpunk 2020<\/a> in celebration of the year of cyberpunk. It&#8217;s basically an article series about seeing how I&#8217;d write an &#8217;80s style traditional roleplaying game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I can apparently convince myself that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2020\/01\/26\/new-on-desk-4-hellbound-mahou-shoujo\/\">the SM horror franchise Hellraiser is inherently compatible with magical girl anime<\/a>. The vision is crystal clear, I just need to write a novel that showcases it for other people to appreciate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And, a few oldies from the &#8217;00s that people seem to like:<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2007\/11\/01\/challenge-based-adventuring\/\">Challenge-based Adventuring<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2008\/11\/11\/what-gns-theory-claims\/\">What GNS theory claims<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/2010\/02\/16\/the-pitfalls-of-narrative-technique-in-rpg-play\/\">The pitfalls of narrative technique in rpg play<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I design and write; mostly sardonic, mostly games, mostly geek counterculture. The blog&#8217;s purpose is to orient, structure and inspire my creative work. The current aspiration is to keep up with a weekly newsletter, and to crank out the occasional essay on more significant topics. Become a Patron! I accept economical incentive; please consider pledging [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"plain-container","ast-site-content-layout":"normal-width-container","site-content-style":"unboxed","site-sidebar-style":"unboxed","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"disabled","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1440","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"featured_image_src":null,"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1440","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1440"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1440\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2813,"href":"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1440\/revisions\/2813"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arkenstonepublishing.net\/isabout\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1440"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}