@kevinmack
Technologist and Engineer (space and critical infra), nerd, comic fan, Proud Forever Game Master and world builder, wannabe Gothamite, and overall well documented nerd. https://code-workbench.com/
Just had a fantastic in-person session with my group. Really was fantastic! Had thrills, romance, mystery, and surprises. All my sessions with this group I feel good about. But this one was next level.
Writing progress update - Got some words in after taking a break over the holidays. 16,688. Not bad, still behind on my original goal. But given the past few weeks and the craziness of the holidays. I’m onboard with it.
Here’s my new take on it.
www.dndbeyond.com/spells/31466...
So I’ve been toying with a replacement for “counterspell” in dnd 5e, and I think I’ve got it figured out. A new spell called “Arcane Fedback.” Which adds a rolling element to make it be more fun of an experience no matter which side casts it.
Absolutely! Best heist comic I’ve read in a long time. Feels like Ocean’s 11 meets Justice League Unlimited!
Over this break, decided to do a reset of my office and honestly I’m maybe 40% done with it. But also really happy about it.
- Setting the goal of finishing the first draft of my first novel.
- Running 3 dnd campaigns, all in my own setting.
- Going to start running one-shots for other friends.
I’m looking forward to a lot this year. And hoping things go well.
Well officially through the holiday, and looking forward to 2026.
- Starting the year with a new position, and excited about the opportunity.
- Started making a comic with my daughter (story is both of us, I’m writing, she’s drawing).
A woman with white hair carrying a chainsaw sword
Sharing this online, because my wife isn’t on BlueSky. Got the commission of my wife’s dnd character from @mellalyss.bsky.social and couldn’t be more thrilled. Fantastic artist to work with and blown away.
Agreed 100%? When an algorithm is driving what we see and engagement. Interactions can feel a lost less legitimate.
Word progress, got a bunch of writing done on a work trip… now at 15,516. Went back and added two scenes to help reveal more about my two MCs.
Wow absolutely joker is absolutely insane. That is a wild new origin for the character.
Progress update - 13,810, progress definitely slowed, but I am still moving forward.
Spectre on the left, flash on the right.
Really enjoying Jeff Lemire’s JSA, and this year one arc is absolutely fantastic!
Got feedback on my first set of pages. And it was overwhelmingly positive. I’m so excited!
Tattoos Batman and Superman logo mixed
A shot of a being that is a composite of Superman and Batman
A combination of Batman and Superman
@markwaid.bsky.social, first thanks for being so cool with my son at Baltimore Comicon, it was a highlight of the convention. But I have an honest question, you saw my tattoo, and now I’m getting questions, What is this guys name?
Sometimes that means being the “bad guy.” But know that when you sign up to be the DM, this is part of the job.
If any thing erodes any of those legs, than the table falls, and it doesn’t matter how good of a campaign you build, the group will fail and fall apart. It’s a DMs duty to ensure that they “protect the table,” at all costs.
Leg 1 - “Trust and Respect between players”
Leg 2 - “Players Trust and Respect for the DM”
Leg 3 - “DM’s trust and respect for the players”
Leg 4 - “Safe Environment for playing.”
For me, the “Table” is held up by 4 legs, and they are the elements most important to the longevity of the game.
In this context, “the table,” is the foundation of DnD, or any TTRPG. This is the group and the environment where games are played. And that is foundation of any TTRPG.
So I had some time to think more about my view on the phrase “Protect the Table” for a DM. For me, what this really means for me. Lots of people talk about their games in a form of commenting on the campaign they are running, but for me the next part is “the table.”
Progress update - I’ve hit 13,217 words, and honestly this is by far the most I’ve ever done on a novel before. I just sent the pdf to a friend of a “tone / vibe / story” check. And honestly, I’m nervous as hell.
And for the record, I mean that as a very high compliment.
Every time I see your work, all I can think is. Wow a hard boiled noir comic would be so amazing!
@aboutdragons.bsky.social I have never had someone articulate my inner thoughts like Amanda Cherry.
“These people were living rent free in my head, so I decided to start charging them. ‘You bitches are going to pay to live here.”
Trust and Respect are the cornerstones of a dnd table. Without those no game can last.
If you are a DM, before world building , encounters, story etc. Your most important job is to protect the table. If anything erodes the trust and respect within the group, it can destroy your game.
The only times I play the “I’m the DM and it’s my decision.” I have always gotten feedback from the group. But I’ve done it in cases of problem players to protect them and shoulder the blame myself.
I rarely play the “I’m the DM and made the decision.” Card. And exclusively it has been when I have to do something to protect the table. Wherever possible, it’s important to treat the table as a shared space and either hold a vote of talk to each person individually.