Hordes of fun exploring education and inclusion in DnD
Hatchlings attended their 1st convention and it was a great success. We now have two more teens starting the regular sessions and it was a great introduction to Dungeons & Dragons 5e for them. Due to the success of the event, we have secured a table at the Autumn mega convention in UWE Bristol in October.
I’ve set up a Ko-fi account now. I prefer this to Patreon due to the support model being less subscription based. I’m raising money to establish a 2nd Hatchlings D&D group and cover the costs of materials, time away from work and any convention travel arrangements for myself and the teens.
I recently ran a poll, asking whether I should keep my profile pic or illustrate a new one. The feedback was 100% in favour of a drawn pic. And so here she is. A cute-as-hell Hatchling grasping a D20 as my daughter did when she was a toddler.
I’ll be attending the Bristol Summer Comic & Gaming Con 2019 at the end of August in Keynsham. I wanted my Hatchlings group to stand out from the cosplaycentric event, so I created an A1 poster and bookmarks to display at our table.
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
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.
Found the most child-friendly BSL alphabet I could. Now have a fingerspelling reference sheet ready for group sessions.
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:
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.
Every parent wants to leave something lasting for their children, something they can look back on fondly even when you have left this world. There is a growing feeling that the work I’m doing here, both with the Hatchlings and with my fiction, is for them. My precious Matilda and Willow. I’m creating something they can be proud of. Something to be enjoyed and shared with other children, parents, teachers and the deaf. Something that encapsulates my passions for writing, gaming, art, mythology, disability, childhood and parenthood. Something to express those passions to the younger generations. Something important to carry in this often dark world.
This week I added the first chapter of my YA novel, The Sinking World, I’m hoping people discover my writing through an interest in Dungeons & Dragons, as I’m very proud of my take on modern Japan and the young female protagonist I’ve created. The novel explores my interest in the supernatural, but also chronic illness, isolation and violence.
A lot of work was done on Inspirisles, including a character sheet for my Foundlings, descriptions of my four gods, the Inspired, bios for key characters, a set of class options and finishing touches to the world map. I’m making good progress with the setting but the task will surely stretch beyond my August deadline.
I am also acting as a mentor for the RPG Workshop (@RPGWriterWrkshp), which I discovered through Ashley Warren via Twitter. I have a couple of mentees who I hope to help throughout July and they seem to have much in common with me. Hopefully I can be a source of inspiration and growth for them on their road to publication.
For the week ahead, I hope to make contact with potential candidates to endorse/fund my projects. These include the British Deaf Association, Action on Hearing Loss (again) and Bristol County Council. Beyond this, I will continue to mentor for the RPG Workshop and complete the Questing section of Inspirisles.
Go to relevant pages for these updates.
HATCHLINGS 