Category Archives: Articles

Board Game First Impressions: Merchants of the Dark Road

I recently borrowed and played (and opened; it’s a long story) my friend’s copy of MotDR. Played solo and 2-player so far. Unboxing My friend requested that I double-check the components. Everything is accounted for (and 2 extra blue dice!). It’s a bit disappointing that there’s no insert and it only comes with 5 baggies,Continue reading “Board Game First Impressions: Merchants of the Dark Road”

Short story “The Knight of Dreams” and a look at “In Dreams” (a solitaire journaling RPG)

I wrote a short story, The Knight of Dreams, and you can read the free PDF below. Journaling Games In the wide world of RPGs, there is a huge variety of games and things that question the definition of a game. Journaling RPGs, as they’re called, are the latter. They’re typically solitaire and instead ofContinue reading “Short story “The Knight of Dreams” and a look at “In Dreams” (a solitaire journaling RPG)”

Winds of the North v0.8.2 Development Update

After further playtesting and getting some very valuable feedback, I’ve been back to making changes, applying fixes, and adding things for v0.8.2. The next update will be focused on balance changes and some re-organization. None of the mechanics are getting an overhaul this time. Exploration One of the biggest changes is how Exploration Encounters areContinue reading “Winds of the North v0.8.2 Development Update”

Winds of the North v0.8 Playtest Session p3 (Ragnhild, Late Winter, Year 1)

This session was actually from a while ago but I forgot to post it here! Part 1: LinkPart 2: LinkPreviews: LinkVersion 0.8 info: LinkPlaytest sign up: Link This time, I went through Late Winter, all 3 Months at once. Took maybe an hour and change, though I know the game very closely. Most players wouldContinue reading “Winds of the North v0.8 Playtest Session p3 (Ragnhild, Late Winter, Year 1)”

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

It’s been a weird year. The website has continued to grow, Winds of the North development has been fun and productive, and my writing has improved. I hope everyone else has had a good year. Enjoy some free Christmas cards, ones I drew for my family years ago (the Gears of War card indicating justContinue reading “Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays”

Solo Session Report: Nusfjord

I bought Nusfjord last year but haven’t played in a while. I’ve been hard at work the past couple of days and needed a relaxing break, and few games evoke a relaxing atmosphere like Nusfjord. It took a bit to re-read the rules and clear the rust, but it’s not a heavy game, and IContinue reading “Solo Session Report: Nusfjord”

Board Game Session Report: Legend of the Five Rings (solo)

I drooled over this game for years, and the core box has been dirt-cheap on Amazon for a good year or two now. FFG did eventually make a solo/coop expansion but printed maybe 5 copies that instantly sold out and they don’t seem to be reprinting L5R anymore, so if you want it, it’s aContinue reading “Board Game Session Report: Legend of the Five Rings (solo)”

Winds of the North v0.8 Playtest Session p2 (Ragnhild, Early Winter, Year 1)

I decided to print out the Weekly Log sheet to keep better notes along with more pictures this time around. I think it’ll make for a more interesting session report. Part 1: LinkPreviews: LinkVersion 0.8 info: LinkPlaytest sign up: Link Early Winter (continued) Month 2 Ragnhild was partway through Early Winter. She’s not in aContinue reading “Winds of the North v0.8 Playtest Session p2 (Ragnhild, Early Winter, Year 1)”

Winds of the North v0.8 Playtest Session p1 (Ragnhild, Start-Early Winter, Year 1)

It’s been a while. Winds of the North is still in development, and I recently uploaded the v0.8.1 update. Previews: LinkVersion 0.8 info: LinkPlaytest sign up: Link For v0.8, I made a new character since so much had changed since starting my previous character. I also decided to make some cards for various character typesContinue reading “Winds of the North v0.8 Playtest Session p1 (Ragnhild, Start-Early Winter, Year 1)”