Pooka G

Not only in-person, although I'd like to do more than I did in 2024 (one of my most peripatetic years on record). We should discuss these things! Although I genuinely have no idea how to translate Invisible Sun into an online environment, so we might have to stick with Wraith and spoopy ghosts. 👻

BONUS. Practice art more

I've been futzing around with a Wacom pad and reminiscing about the classes I had started just before COVID. If I can develop enough skill to (partly) illustrate my own homebrews, that would be rad.

And there we are. Let's see how long before it all goes off the rails... 💃

10. Be more pro-active on socials

Look, I'm doing a thread and everything! And it's kinda working! But the last week has really shown me the importance of community, even in this space that's always felt a bit removed, so I don't want to take that for granted. More regular updates shall ensue.

9. Run a convention game

Surviving the experience at PAX turned me on to the idea of running more con one-shots—but NOT three different systems in two days like last time. If I do a single scenario three times, and actually finish prep more than minutes in advance, I'll consider this one fulfilled.

8. Make a significant dent in writing projects list

I freely admit that there is waaayyyy too much shit on my personal to-do list. Let's say I'll get through, I don't know, three things? Not counting the podcast episodes, the monthly webzines, the collaborative stuff, the haphazard fiction bits...

7. Work to sustain Terry's legacy

This was originally "do the epistolary podcast thing with Terry," an idea on the table for months. As the Mage: the Podcast community pulls together to complete the many, *many* projects he'd started, I'm shifting this resolution towards helping effect that. 💜

6. Write content for my own system

I've watched admiringly as friends have been publishing their indie systems on itch.io. There are a couple ideas that I could throw at the wall—identity shifting in the bardo? or standard 2020s creepyfae stuff?—to see what sticks like perfectly cooked spaghetti.

5. Write content for a non-World of Darkness system

This could either be through proper freelancing or just homebrew. I have so much D&D shit lying around my computer just waiting to be gently massaged into something for the DM's Guild. And now that *Pendragon* has a community content program... 👀

4. Play a streaming game or Actual Play

I'm surprised at how much I miss these. Streaming got me through a large part of lockdown, but a properly produced Actual Play would also be cool. We hope to do one on the Podcast to celebrate Changeling's 30th Anniversary, so maybe that'll be my chance...!

3. Play a World of Darkness game that I haven't tried yet

Terry and I had planned to do *Wraith: the Oblivion* in 2025, as I've still never gotten to try it, and I'd like to stick to that. *Dark Ages: Fae* also has some appeal. (Starting a long-running chronicle might be tough these days, though.)

2. Play a new game that I've wanted to try for a while

Mage: the Podcast's suggested list specified that such a game should be "radically different" from my usual fare, so I'd like to finally get around to *Bluebeard's Bride* or *To Serve Her Wintry Hunger* or *AGON*. That being said...

1. Introduce a game to new players

At some point in 2025, I will gather some gamer friends, who only do D&D or whatever, to try something new. An Invisible Sun black cube is sitting on my bedroom floor, courtesy of Terry, waiting to be deployed. Surrealistic nonsense is my favored ludus operandi.

So. I made #ttrpg resolutions that I'd hoped to record with Terry of @magethepodcast.bsky.social last weekend. As I continue to process his sudden passing, sticking with these feels like one way I want to remember his energy and generosity. (Let's see how this first attempt at a bsky thread goes...)

Dispatches from the Vault, Issue 4 - White Wolf | Storytellers Vault Dispatches from the Vault is an unofficial webzine with a curated selection of reviews for Storytellers' Vault titles pa

Recovered from PAX, immediately got flattened by COVID. That's the way the cookie crumbleth. 😷

But! I still managed to put out a fresh issue of the free webzine: www.storytellersvault.com/product/5059.... It's amazing that I've kept up a monthly pace on this thing, and I'll snag what pride I can. 🌈

A couple of great pages from YOUNG AVENGERS (v2) #2, by Jamie McKelvie, Mike Norton, and Kieron Gillen

Let’s count… 15 game books, five magazines, two game boxes, two novels, two pins, a binder full of cards, the shirt I made, my lanyard, and not pictured: a partridge in a pear tree.

The requisite post-con flat lay haul photo. I *might* have a problem. But I’ll also have the ineffable pleasure of swimming through gameworld text for the rest of the month, at least. (In my defense, almost everything here was used and/or free.) Overall, though—a lovely and exhausting experience. 🫀

Map for road rally Changeling game themed around visiting diners

Pretty amazed that I was able to get it together enough to pull off this diner rally-themed Changeling game and have people actually enjoy it. First (and second, not pictured) ever con game(s) GM achievement unlocked! One more this afternoon before I collapse. 🫠

Six headshots of the panelists with the panel title and time and date.

Is it ethical to keep your friend as a pet if they turn into a werewolf?

Is it ok to pet a druid wild shaped into a dog?

Can a ghost allow a vampire into a building?

These and other questions are being answered now at #PAXU but I'd love to hear your answers!

There’s no bsky for Changeling: the Podcast (yet) but herein the fruit of yesterday afternoon’s labors, running around the Expo Hall recording interviews with creators of faeishly inflected games: changelingthepodcast.com/podcast/epis...

Now to frantically prepare for my C20 one shot in 2 hours…! 🦝

It me. All four me. 🦝🐈‍⬛

PAX badge on lanyard with many pins

Ready as I’ll ever be for PAX. Let’s see if I can maintain all my neckbones this year against the weight of the lanyard… 💃

Wall art on a Brooklyn street depicting numerous cartoon characters, centered on a blue dude with a crown giving a cheerful wink.

As the exodus is underway, I'm dusting this thing off once again. I've been busy, but not with things that bring joy; anxious, but not about things I can change. So I want to address both of those issues. The best medicine for me, to start, is posting random street art like this Brooklyn mural. 🦋

Chaotic Wholesome Presents The Table Talk Show is looking for guests! This could be you! https://forms.gle/BcnfGMpEL4RfgMvx5

Are you doing cool things in the TTRPG space? Then we want to have you on the Table Talk Show! Please fill out the form below and we will reach out to you as quickly as possible!

forms.gle/BcnfGMpEL4Rf...

In case you missed it live, watch the Rivals of Waterdeep @idlechampions.bsky.social one-shot on YouTube: youtu.be/qpPryuX1wJk

I hope you have as much fun watching as we had playing. It was a delight. 💖

An arrangement of seven sigils

In culmination of my Sigilcraft thread, herewith seven days of sigils to start off 2024 with grounding intentions. Now to burn and bury and hide and lose and frame them, in some combination… 🔥🙏🎊

Preparing to add sealing wax to a sigil

Sigil for completion

(Sigilcraft, 7/7)
Optional embellishments—which I usually reserve for when these are gifts—include bits of ribbon, sealing wax, etc. The latter is my favorite because it gives me an opportunity to stamp things. (Never miss the chance to stamp.)

Anyway, the final one is naturally for completion. 🙏

Adding color and metallic accents to a sigil

Sigil for questing

(Sigilcraft, 6/7)
After basic inking, I sometimes add color and/or metallic accents. At present, I’m fond of pink/teal/blue in the palette, plus silver. The symbolism of each changes and is specific to the sigil; today’s is for questing ever onward. 💃

(must get better lighting for the next photos…)

(Sigilcraft, 5/7)
My favorite inking marker crapped out, so I’ve been using a paint marker. Not ideal, but gets the job done. I’m always anxious with inking: it’s the point of no return, but one can and should incorporate the errors and unexpected twists.

Today’s is for fluidity and adaptation. 🧚

(Sigilcraft, 4/7)
After any drafting, pencil sketch on the final canvas; today was a sticky note day. A light touch and a stalwart eraser are best for any would-be scrawler! But this is where the unexpected starts getting in, so try to trust any deviations from the plan. This one was for confidence.

Sigil for reflection

Draft for a sigil

(Sigilcraft, 3/7)
I generally do my sigils (today’s is for contemplation) with extemporaneous queer abandon 🌈—but no shame in drafts. While the basic materials, techniques, and aesthetics may stay the same, each one often has its own semiotics. Sketching can help uncover that unique visual language.