Six months is a long time without an update. Thankfully I’ve been keeping busy and have a lot to share on the ttrpg front!
First things first. I have survived my first summer break as a stay-at-home dad with a six-year-old. I don’t exactly understand why medals aren’t handed out every year to those brave souls that embark on this treacherous journey. Tons of memorable moments where hugs were given as well as the shedding of tears. Mostly by me. Now that school is back in session for past couple weeks, I have more time to write.
Legends of the Khurst Riders
Ever join a game jam with a small idea that you manage to keep within reasonable scope for sanity’s sake? Me neither. What began as a simple card game simulation for the Wound by Tension Engine turned into a weird west exploration of the characters slowly being taken over by a curse. Available here: Legends of the Khurst Riders by Paroxysm by Design (itch.io)
Here’s the CATS:
Concept

The characters immigrants from the old world (this counts as any other non-American culture) who are cursed. They have fled to the newly formed Khurst Territories with the aid of the Baroness who now demands payment of 10 souls from each of them. The characters are haunted by what they have done before coming to America and are (hopefully) finding redemption on the frontiers of an alt-history weird west.
Aim
In order to pay back the Baroness they have taken on the role of Khurst Riders and do her bidding as a way to pay down their souldebt. The characters are obligated to form a posse and carry out tasks on her behalf until the debt is paid. Tasks can be tracking down a wanted/dangerous beast, solving a territory dispute, or even converting someone to her side.
But the real danger might be themselves the whole time. I want the players to bring their past into the present either by telling stories, introduce world building, or have their curse affect the current saga. Each character will have a redemption arc available to them if they wish. Right now, I just want to explore this strange land.
Tone
I’m leaning towards action adventure that dips into horror. I want the stories to be a bit larger than life being told around a campfire as millions of stars shine down. Magic exists on the form of strange dark mysticism or miracles from a higher power. The damned walk the earth in desolate and abandoned areas. I want the dust to settle in players eyes as they track down a wayward sinner.
One nice thing about this system is it can translate just as easily into mysteries (seances and creepy buildings) and espionage (train barons are getting too close) as well. From a brief brainstorm session I’ve come up with ideas for a territory dispute between families, showdown with a corrupted preacher, and a bounty that leads them to the mouth of hell.
Subject Matter
Being respectful to other cultures and religion is a premium. The clashing and understanding of cultures is an essential conflict.
It’s tough not to cite favorites like Tombstone and Penny Dreadful. But, I think the feeling is going to be darker like Bone Tomahawk, Burrowers, and Old Gods of Appalachia. Why aren’t there more werewolf cowboy movies?!
Over the course of two months, I came up with something I’m pretty proud of that i can’t wait to expand upon. You can get the ‘ashcan’ version right now on itch! My first plan it to get a couple free one shot adventures out the door for the game to act like marketing materials along with an actual playtest video. The Wound by Tension universe is getting bigger!
Honorbound – Covenant of the Star Sagas

This is the big one. For the past several months I have been working with Will (of Gamenomicon fame) to produce what seems to be our yearly offering. We have been promoting it with a podcast, actual playtesting videos, interviews, and social media hype. This is going to kickstarter’d soon and I can’t wait for folks to see it in action.
It is nice to work on something that is bright, adventurous, and introduces what I think will be excellent building blocks for others to create unique and exciting worlds! Check out all the stuff here:
Podcast
Episode 21 – Will and Jerod Make a Game Pt 1 – Gamenomicon | Podcast on Spotify
Youtube
Honorbound Playtest: In Love and War Part 1 (youtube.com)
Kickstarter
Honorbound: A Wound by Tension TTRPG by Gamenomicon — Kickstarter
Here’s the CATS:
Concept
Honorbound is about a band of thrill-seeking heroes with enigmatic backstories who have come together under the covenant of brotherhood.
Lots of inspiration is drawn from the Three Musketeers, Firefly, and the writings of Charles Dickens shot into space. I just watched the Arcane show on Netflix which has a lot of the same esthetics. Personal narratives end up interweaving with present sagas which are ultimately shaped by the players.
Setting
Honorbound is set in a far future star system populated by dozens if not hundreds of alien species which the players also play. There are no humans for the sake of this session.
Historically the characters are three generations removed from a chain reaction of events:
- The rise and departure of the AI Prophets who took with them technologies they felt sentient beings could not safely monitor like interstellar travel, AI enslavement, and time crystal technologies.
- The end of the Company Wars which had imprisoned billions of lives for profit. Leading to a utopian confederacy called the Grand Alliance. Areas that did not join the alliance are called Free City States.
- The discovery of a pliable and mysterious force dubbed Essence. Those who know how to tap into it are capable of wondrous feats like seeing the future, limited telepathy, and even communing with those left behind by the AI Prophets who call themselves the Oracles.
With advanced technologies getting destroyed the system is in a new renaissance age of species created arts, social norms, and romance.
Aim
As a group of free-‘lancers’ you travel from planet to planet chasing down contracts too dangerous or shady for the regular populous to handle in order to earn refuge from the empty howling void of space.
The aim for you, the players, is to not only fulfill the contract but to explore your own dramatic personal saga, add to your species culture, and have fun!
Tone
The tone of Honorbound is bright, adventurous, chivalric romance, and heroic with an eye towards redemption arcs. The central theme of working together to overcome insurmountable odds by staying true to ‘all for one’.
It is common and even encouraged to delve into personal strife when narratively appropriate as play will quickly return to more swashbuckling. There is no triumph for Athos without the tragedy of Lady D’Winter.
Nation of Malice

Let’s get back to my problem of scale. What initially started as a single case file for Mutant City Blues as an introduction to a new setting morphed into it’s own whole thing. Three tent-pole case files that span at least 3-6 sessions each intermingled with ten mini case files used to introduce NPCs, enforce themes, or add the spice of action. Of all the games I have dipped my toes into GUMSHOE has nailed the police procedural.
Of course, I had to tinker and added some minor tools for making sure cases get to trial, employed a multiple character approach to manning the station, and debuted the unofficial Mutant Registry. Combined with the Quade Diagram agents can now react quicker after gathering clues (quicker, not necessarily more correct…)
I am on my third playtest starting next week! When it is all said and done I think I’m looking at 60 pages without any art. I am at a crossroads; either send it out into the world after this playtest OR kickstart it. It’s gotten so much bigger and better than I could have possibly hoped that I want to make sure it shines.
Actual Playthrough with all the spoilers:
Nation of Malice Session 1: Only Good Mutant part 1 (youtube.com)
Here’s the primer:
Introduction
Welcome to a Nation of Malice! A Mutant City Blues mini campaign that will spark a world building setting called Charters. It is a series of three case files all based around a weeklong political rally for the Federalist party cumulating to the appearance by presidential hopeful, Chelsea Teal!
Each player character is a mutant feared by society after developing powers. You play as hard-nosed police detectives recently dumped into the infamous Heightened Crime Investigation Unit (HCIU) from other departments. Your job is to close any case files that even remotely involve other mutants, whether it is white collar or a homicide. You are all highly skilled professionals, very capable in your field, and deeply flawed from this gritty life.
The Only Good Mutant – Divisive chart topping anti-mutant musician, Goose Wilson, is claiming self-defense when he was attacked after performing at the opening night of the Federalist political party fundraiser.
Primary Hunting Grounds – A mutant is brutally mutilated and strung up in the alleyways of the populous mutant burrough known as the Nests as hate groups descend upon the city for the rally.
Cypher’s Army – A missing person’s case spirals into shadow conspiracy revealing an assassination conspiracy as Chelsea Teal comes to town in the gripping finale!
Here’s the CAT:
Concept
Each player character is a mutant feared by society after developing super powers. You play as hard nosed police detectives recently dumped into the infamous Heightened Crime Investigation Unit (HCIU) from other departments. Your job is to close any case files that even remotely involve other mutants, whether it is white collar or a homicide. You are all highly skilled professionals, very capable in your field, and deeply flawed from this gritty life.
HINT: Unlike some other games, it is important to split up the group to cover more ground quickly. Most cases go cold if they are not solved in the first 48 hours.
Things to think about
- What physical mutation indicates you are a mutant? It can range from being covered in wool to having hourglass shaped irises, as long as it doesn’t have a mechanical advantage.
- Since mutants can come in many different shapes, uniforms are not mandatory. What does your detective wear while on the job?
- Because of the above, where do you carry your bright neon green badge?
Aim
The case file opens with a homicide your group of law enforcement agents is tasked with finding and arresting a suspect. There must be a motive, opportunity, and proof of the act. To make a good collar all of these must be attained legally.
Tone
Mutant City Blues is meant to mirror the police procedural TV shows made famous in the 90s and today like Hill Street Blues, Law & Order, and Luther. While this game has a Gritty setting we will be playing the lighter mode. This is for two reasons, 1) introducing character failings takes time that a one-shot does not afford 2) it also removes (hopefully) the temptation of crossing any lines.
When an enemy is knocked to 0 health the player may choose whether they have done lethal or non-lethal damage. This option is taken away when guns are used, they always do lethal damage. So think twice when brandishing your fire arm.
Oh! Right, I’m Going to Write a Biography
A couple weeks ago a lifetime friend of mine inquired if I could be convinced to write about his life. I don’t know exactly what that is going to entail but after he moves to a more low-key lifestyle next month, we begin the ‘talks’. I’m excited to tackle a new endeavor much less one that should provide countless hours of conversation with someone that I dig.