As I write more about the RPG side of the tabletop hobby I’ve started creating my own resources for the various games that I run. I want to share those here to help you run those games as well. From one shot character sheets, to NPC resources, and more. I’ll also share other pages, podcasts, and videos that I have found helpful in my own RPG games. This page will be updated frequently.
Systems
A list of the systems I have made material for. Click on the system to jump to that part of the page. You can buy the game from the link in the title of each section and we will get some credit in our DrivethruRPG account.
Agon, Blades in the Dark, Deathmatch Island, Eat the Reich, Slugblaster
Agon
I really like Agon and have run it a bunch. I have a modified version of the Battle Mat that I use in games. It just summarises all the possible results for the heroes to keep everyone on track.
There is an updated version of the character sheet on itch. While I haven’t used it yet, I do think it explains the mechanisms better and lays out what you need more clearly.
Blades in the Dark
2 hour one shot
I’ve run a Blades in the Dark 2 hour one shot a couple of times. It is intended to give a taste of the system, possibly lead into a campaign. I use a modified version of the Race to Gaddoc from Guy Milner at Burn After Running and then the Gaddoc Rail score from Sean Nittner.
With the Race to Gaddoc I ignore all considerations of downtime. I am just looking to show off the core of the system and how it leads to dynamic, heist based play. The Gaddoc Rail Score I have as a backup if the game runs short. Basically the crew end up at Gaddoc and then can do another job to get into the station itself.
The character sheets I provide are formatted for A5 and eliminate a lot of the distractions from the larger character sheets that are only used in campaign play.
This is original flavour blades and has none of the Deep Cut mechanisms.
Position and Effect Sheet
I’ve used this position and effect sheet in a couple of games and I really like it (I didn’t make it). You can just put a coin or something in the middle then move it around. Really helps visualise the varying results players can get.
Position and Effect Cheat Sheet
How to play, and run, Blades in the Dark
I love Blades in the Dark and I saw quite a few posts from folk where either the players or the GM rubbed up against the system and bounced off it. I wrote a guide that I hoped would help people get on board with this excellent game
How to play, and run, Blades in the Dark
Deathmatch Island
Deathmatch Island is an Agon adaption that takes the heroic action of Greek Myths and transplants it to the cutthroat action of Hunger Games and Battle Royale with a healthy sprinkling of mystery and intrigue.
In order to help me run the game I made a bunch of cards for the various casts that you come across. Picture and competitor number on the front, stats and details on the back.
Eat the Reich
I’ve run and written about Eat the Reich. Below you can find my hexplot maps for each sector that helped me run things smoothly. Hope they help you as well.
Slugblaster
I’ve run a full campaign of Slugblaster and think it is absolutely fantastic. I have run this one shot a couple of times and found it to be a great way to teach what is so interesting about Slugblaster. This is strongly influnced by the work Guy Milner has done over at Burn After Running.
Tools
There are loads of RPG ‘tools’ out in the world and I would like to show you some of the ones I have found genuinely useful in play.
This is a way of pitching a game to folk and covers all the top level stuff they need to know before you even get anywhere near mechanisms. It covers Content, Aim, Tone, and Subject. A great habit to get into when talking about games, especially if you are running for an unfamilar group. I am linking to the original version of this idea.
Hexplotting
I’ve been doing this thing for my games where I use a hexmap to plot my sessions. Kind of like the hexmaps you might get in an D&D game or anything with an exploration focus. It helps keep the scenes in my head and tie things together. You may find it useful as well. If you do, let me know how you use the tool
I written about how I use Hexplots as well to give you some pointers.
There are loads of Virtual Tabletops out there but sometimes all you need is a video chat and a simple dice roller. This one allows everyone to see the result of every roll and is free to use.
This goes hand in hand with C.A.T.S. above and is a great way to get feedback after a session. It is a reworking of an earlier feedback system called Roses & Thorns. I’ve linked to Guy’s breakdown of how to use it as I think he does a good job of explaining it.
Websites
A list of other sites that I have found helpful in my own RPG journey. A mix of advice, reviews, and resources.
My friend Guy Milner has an excellent blog talking about lots of different skills you can use in running games in general, but with a particular focus on convention One Shots. I recommend checking out his blog whole heartedly.
Deep Dives and actual play reviews of loads of different games. I’ve really enjoyed the work the Indie Game Reading Club do, and it was an inspiration for the RPG work I am now doing on the site.
A tongue in cheek title for sure that is the website run by Kieron Gillen, Jim Rossignol, and other contributors. Some really great thoughts on how to run games, and the nature of the hobby on this one.
One of the truly independent sources of news, opinion, interviews, and reviews for TTRPGs. I really recommend giving them a read. I subscribe to them myself, but you will find some articles behind their paywall. Worth every penny.
Guy Milner and I, sometimes appear as stunt Bens on the UK’s premier RPG podcast, What Would the Smart Party Do? Gaz and Ben have done lots of great interviews and analysis of play alongside advice on how to run and play RPGs.
An RPG focused group that can help you with getting your ideas made into reality, advice on conventions, just all sorts of useuful information from a helpful group.
Guy and Gaz have another project called Unconventional GMs. This is an Actual Play Youtube channel where they run games in around 2 hours, showing the sort of play you can get running your sessions with pace, vim, and vigor. I’ve been a guest on it several times and always enjoyed myself.