Juliet They talked of merriment, those fools. Flailing objects into the air, in circle patterns, criss-crossing on a whim. Their hats would jangle as they danced across the tables, cartwheel, handstand, dodging the bowls of food. Entertainment was a chore for them to relish in. The kids would scream, trying to join them, hands clasping … Continue reading The Monsters in our Pockets (J-L)
Doppel (A John Carpenter’s The Thing-like RPG)
During my post on fear and making RPGs scary, I came up with a couple of RPGs that I’d like to have a go at making scary. This post is looking at the frame work for an RPG based on John Carpenter's The Thing. If you haven’t seen it, and you like horror/suspense (or even … Continue reading Doppel (A John Carpenter’s The Thing-like RPG)
Ali’s Shoe (Prologue and 1)
PrologueShe was boundpromised to the chiefand only fivea calm swift departureearly in her wakedirty orders were givenSamson held his courseexperienced, keenly awareno better than Africahe set a new courseinto the warmover 16strengthend and stillfollowing leeward!she was asleep in her cota joltshocks marked a dreamlike stateswirled over into darknessbrutal oblivioncataclysmic troopsfind the otherfaster than Captain Samsonown … Continue reading Ali’s Shoe (Prologue and 1)
Welcome to Dead Eden
An introduction to the world of Dead Eden; its origins and starting point. I’ve tried to keep it vague to allow growth as new entities start to show themselves (such as the Eaters of the Dead, or the places players may visit). If there’s anything you want to explore in the world, let me know … Continue reading Welcome to Dead Eden
A Conversation with my Germ
I'm hoping to turn this into a children's book at some point, if you're an artist, I'd love to see your work for it. “Cough cough splutter!” The germ said. “Are you awake?” It said to my head. In the dark wet heat. Yes I said – “Well isn’t that swell? Isn’t being alone just … Continue reading A Conversation with my Germ
A Girl Called Charity
I We get bags of the stuff, clothes, bric-a-brac, jewelry. They’ll throw in industrial bras and yellowed underwear. We are a home for your unwanted relative's unwanted things. Usually they’ve died, sometimes they’ve been moved to a retirement ‘village’ and then died, tucked away neatly while others wait for an inheritance. I’d never treat my nanna … Continue reading A Girl Called Charity
FeaRPG
What makes something scary? That is a complex question and something I’ll never be able to break down fully. Scary means different things to different people, somebody with a fear of germs may be fine at the top of a very tall building, but may struggle more when it comes to cooking meat with vegetables … Continue reading FeaRPG
our last night on earth
Your body’s cold. I’ve started to lose the sensation in my hand, and yours is starting to feel like broken twigs. They’re soft compared to mine, but not as soft as they once were. The first time you touched my hand, the hairs on the back of it stood to attention, warm dots in my … Continue reading our last night on earth
ODLAND
“You can always press against the wall for shelter.” “It never rains though!” “But when it does, it pours.” She stood in the exact spot, tucked shirt, black skirt. The ghosts faded out of creation under the sun and she scratched the heat from her neck. Birdwood was a thirty-minute shuttle bus from Adelaide, and … Continue reading ODLAND
Drafting Styles
Game mechanics are something I think about a lot in my spare time. I won't make a habit of doing whole articles on single game mechanics, but this one was something I've had on my mind recently; I have a deck of Magic: the Gathering land cards that I use to explore drafting and card … Continue reading Drafting Styles
AF Cowlin 