Monday 12th August

I took a significant break from blogging for 2 weeks due to concentrating heavily on Inspirisles. As such, I’ve managed to complete approximately half of the work for campaign setting. This includes written content, art, stat blocks and layout.

I also received a message from Roll20’s Spotlight program asking how they could support me with my work and help generate word-of-mouth and possibly play-testing. I replied with samples of Inspirisles and am awaiting a response.

I am working on ways to develop maps for the game and believe I have created something that will help. More on this next week.

For the week ahead, I will continue to produce content for Inspirisles. I will work my way through the Scriv’s Tour section and develop a technique for quick and professional map making.

Monday 22nd July

This week I completed a large chuck of the principle art for Inspirisles. I also updated some of the posts from last week with setting flavour, descriptions and mechanics.

The RPG Workshop was completed and my mentee was pleased with my input. Hopefully he will publish some time in September.

I am currently waiting on the edits from Dark Galaxies Gaming (@DarkGalaxiesDM) and then the next writing assignment will begin.

I also removed the pages of blog, as no-one was looking beyond the posts. It now feels more streamlined and able to connect more readily with my readers.

For the week ahead, I will continue to produce art for Inspirisles. I will also work on expanding the mechanics. I should arrive at the Scriv’s Tour section of campaign, where I will describe the 10 locations players will discover, story hooks called ‘Inspirinsights’ and a challenge rating for each element.

Monday 15th July

This week I began the art for Inspirisles. Whilst I had previously decided to hire an artist and advertised this position, after experimenting in the Apple shop with an iPad Air, I was convinced I could complete the project independently. I will post some examples of the setting art and character designs forthwith. I will need to consider if I can handle environmental vistas and location maps too.

My RPG Workshop mentee sent my the spooky cover for his adventure and it looks great. He is doing really well to keep up with the lessons and I will tackle them posthumuously when it comes time to write the Inspirisles adventure ‘Foundlings‘.

The adventure for TTRPG group Dark Galaxies Gaming (@DarkGalaxiesDM) has now been sent to the editors, who will tweak our writing and transfer it to the desired format using something like InDesign (jealous!). I can now move on to the first adventure following the introduction.

For the week ahead, I will continue to produce art for Inspirisles. As I’m away in Devon, I’ll get used to the iPad Air I’ve purchased and develop an illustrative style predominantly using watercolour brushes.

Go to relevant pages for these updates.

5e Descriptive Skill List

Below is a descriptive skill list for Hatchlings teens. This will be most beneficial for children new to the game of 5e Dungeons & Dragons.

SKILL DESCRIPTIONS

ACROBATICS: I’m a natural gymnast
ANIMAL HANDLING: I get on with animals
ARCANA: I know about shaping and other cool magic
ATHLETICS: I’m super fit and strong
DECEPTION: I can lie and trick my way out of tight spots
HISTORY: I can tell you what happened a century ago
INSIGHT: I can tell what you’re thinking and feeling
INTIMIDATION: I can easily scare people
INVESTIGATIONS: I see clues and secrets everywhere
MEDICINE: I’m like a doctor
NATURE: I know about animals, plants and even monsters
PERCEPTION: I’m good at spotting things
PERFORMANCE: I’m a born entertainer
PERSUASION: People usually do what I say
RELIGION: I know all about the Inspired
SLEIGHT OF HAND: I can snatch things without you noticing
STEALTH: I’m good at hiding and being quiet
SURVIVAL: I’m at home in the wilderness and can follow tracks

Monday 8th July

This week I finished planning Inspirisles. This was an important milestone, as I regard the systems, mechanics and concepts as the toughest part of the development process. On top of incorporating BSL through the Shaping mechanic, I have also added a teen-friendly way of handling character death and am working with Andre Domingos of ModBits in Bath to 3D print custom dice for the game. These bespoke d6s will be used for the Dusting mechanic.

I have edited my RPG Workshop mentees’ draft adventure. Though it was rough around the edges, I am used to workshopping material and I hope he will find the feedback helpful and informative.

The adventure for TTRPG group Dark Galaxies Gaming (@DarkGalaxiesDM) is really coming alone. I finished the introduction for the world of Dolderia ready for the Kickstarter launch sometime in September. My initial writing was declined due to its experimental format. However, instead of becoming disillusioned, I listened to the director’s feedback and rewrote the section. I’m really pleased with the result and it bodes well for my future TTRPG future and my modules for Inspirisles.

For the week ahead, I will begin to flesh out the Questing section of the Inspirisles, create a Descriptive Skill List for Hatchlings players new to Dungeons & Dragons and start work on the setting art with my new iPad Air!

Go to relevant pages for these updates.

Wyrm Art

My first experience using an iPad and stylus pen and it has been a revelation. I have long believed I can’t produce the art for Inspirisles, but this painterly, watercolour style would suit the setting perfectly and create that Celtic storybook feel I’ve been looking for.

Hatchlings BSL Alphabet

Found the most child-friendly BSL alphabet I could. Now have a fingerspelling reference sheet ready for group sessions.

Colour contrast good for visually impaired

The Shaping system within Inspirisles will begin with fingerspelling to represent basic spells and abilities. As the players increase in level and discover more advanced powers, the signs will move beyond the alphabet to actual sign combinations.

Some examples of signed spells:

Project Planner (wider)

Over the next 2 months, I will attempt to complete everything on the below list, starting with emails to local organisations about backing/artists. Once these elements are finished, I will strikethrough sections.

~~Contact emails to Action on Hearing Loss, National Deaf Children’s Society and Sion Hill art college, enquiring into backing/endorsement/collaboration.~~
BSL alphabet to match Hatchlings aesthetic.
Art list for Inspirisles, describing visuals throughout setting.
Make up Inspirisles player packs.
Business cards x250.
~~Character sheet skills list with simple descriptions.~~
Inclination table to determine Friend/Path.
Hire artist (doing myself)
~~Send promotional material to BristolCon 2019 contact for advertisement on Facebook.~~
~~Enlist deaf colleague for Kickstarter video.~~
Seek funding from Arts Council and other initiatives.

Monday 1st July

This week I added the third chapter of my YA novel, The Sinking World. This part introduces readers to my protagonist’s connection with the supernatural world and her issues with the real one.

A lot of work was done on Inspirisles, including additional sheets for monsters, NPCs and artefacts, further information on hooks for dungeon masters and players and development of my unique systems, including Dusting and it utilisation of BSL and deaf awareness.

I have set up a discord for my RPG Workshop (@RPGWriterWrkshp) mentees. The course officially started today for the month and for my own experience, I’ve finished the first lesson on the website which explored your writing tools, setup and environment. I’m hoping my mentees will come to me if they need assistance, but if not, I’ll check in with them by the week’s end.

I have a few revelations this week: I took a chance and contacted the TTRPG group Dark Galaxies Gaming (@DarkGalaxiesDM). I have now secured my first professional writing gig and will develop the Dolderia setting with a pool of talented writers, artists and editors. Feeling inspired I also contacted charities Action on Hearing Loss & the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) for endorsement. I also contacted the Sion Hill art and design university in Bath enquiring after students wanting to complete their portfolios through Hatchlings/Inspirisles.

For the week ahead, I will edit the BSL signed alphabet I’ve downloaded to match my Hatchlings aesthetic. I will continue to flesh out Inspirisles, help my mentees with the workshop and make a start on the collaborative Dolderia setting before its Kickstarter campaign towards the end of the year.

Go to relevant pages for these updates.

Dusting

The use of British Sign Language through the Inspirisles setting isn’t its only defining feature. I have a love for the history and folklore of Britain, but also a passion for film and in particular, the coming of age genre. Movies such as Stand by Me, Kes and This is England have had a huge influence on my writing and on my life and I wanted to have some element of these in my setting.
My Dusting mechanic allows DMs to transport their players to any era in British history. Throughout campaigns, players will travel through the All’s Well to influence the children of Earth and restore belief in the Fey. And this isn’t restricted to contemporary culture; DMs can choose to focus on any point in our history.
For me, the 1980s are the most influential and I can imagine the Fey entering amusement arcades with the cacophonous lights and sounds of a dozen cabinets and gamblers and the youngsters whittling away their pocket money for another round of Street Fighter II. This is where I’d set my Inspirisles campaign. Where will you set yours?