Dave Dawkins (D. Harrigon)

@golgaloth@writing.exchange
1.6K Followers
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24.3K Posts
Rich, fascinating stories, board game designs, and random thoughts, graciously provided by David Dawkins.
#Writer #Writing #BoardGames #Fantasy #SciFi #Authodon
LocationTasmania
PronounsHe/Him
WritingDesolation

#WordWeavers
What’s the first and last line of dialogue for your MC?

Work in progress, so no last line.
First lines:
Tammy, "Yer face is patchy."
Arla, "I cannot hear the motor. 'Tis well baffled?"

WordWeavers for 23rd December, 2025

23. What’s the first and last line of dialogue for your MC?

In the current WIP, as it stands at present (the ending will likely be tweaked a little, the beginning is more ‘finished’):
“Thank you,” Illara said. She touched the frayed threads again and sighed once more. “It’s such a beautiful shirt. I know it will wear out eventually, but I don’t want that day to come!”

“Oh, so I could maybe have enough time to remove a glyph, if I cast one on it by mistake?”
(Yes, this does mean that another character gets the ‘Last Word’…)
#WordWeavers

@golgaloth And lovely carving to boot!

we're seeing bullshit levels at about 97%

(97%) ■■■■■■■■■□

#ScribesAndMakers
Do you see art in everyday objects?
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Oh, I could do a whole essay on this. Most of what we interact with every day is art. Your USB stick has a distinct and deliberate aesthetic. Your spoon has a distinct purpose it must fulfil, but the shape and curve, the rhythm of the proportions is deliberate art. So when I encountered a long-handled Korean spoon I had to adjust. I did that by looking for the art, the aesthetic. Once I understood that, the functionality followed.
#art

I made a thing again! Thoughts? Questions?

"Breaking News" — A lighthearted GMless 1-page RPG for 2 to 6 B-list supers and the press that covers them.

This is a "yes, and" game. Each player represents a reporter and either a super hero or villain. Reporters—unbeknownst to the public are the trickster gods of this world—working together to increase the network's ratings. Villains commit crimes, and heroes stop them. Every turn should aim to make the game more fun and the news more exciting.

1. Each person gets three cards—write a superpower on each card, then put 'em in a hat.

2. Draw three powers and write entertaining limitations for them. Put 'em back in the hat.

3. Draw two powers.

4. Declare hero or villain. If one side is outnumbered, the smaller side gets a bonus:
• 2:1 - get +1 to rolls or an extra power
• 3:1 or worse - get both

5. Write the names of your characters on a card and stand it in front of you. Characters should always be referenced by name.

Powers "just work" (within their limits). Powers should always be referenced by their name and limitation.

Contested actions are settled with d6s—highest roll determines outcome (ties go to defender).

Non-contested actions are d6 vs static difficulty (ties maintain status quo):
• 1-2: easy
• 3-4: difficult
• 5-6: "impossible"

Non-contested difficulties and the truth of reporter statements should be generally agreed upon by the table.

A turn consists of a fact-establishing observation by your reporter and/or a cinematic action by your super.

The game starts when the villains decide on a crime and a reporter goes live with breaking news about it.

Turns pass to the opposing super who acted least recently.

Game ends when reporters agree it would be better for ratings to cover the Great British Bake Off.

This is a "Saturday morning cartoon" game; nobody important dies (unless they want to)—they just limp off to fight another day.

---

Example powers, limitations:
- Telekinesis, but only works on burger.
- Invisibility, but only when no one is looking.
- Phase through objects, but clothes don't.
- Laser vision, but terrible eyesight.
- Super speed, but horrible motion sickness.
- Shapeshifting, but maintain mass.

Example crimes / targets:
1. Rob / Bank
2. Hijack / Train
3. Destroy / Tech Startup
4. Kidnap / Celebrity
5. Disgrace / Politician
6. Vandalize / Landmark

Example liveplay:
Alice: "Hello PNW-TV 12! We're coming to you live, where we've just learned that Captain Softserve—whose freeze ray is regularly out of order—has teamed up with the Burger Master—the teen who can telekinetically control burger with their mind, and they're in the process of hijacking the 1-line to Cap Hill! I believe we actually have someone from PNW-TV 12 *on* the train now! Over to you Bob; what's going on down there?"

Bob: "Thanks Alice! It's true, I am on the train now, and things are crazy here—" *CRASH* "Oh my! The hero SpeedLimit, the motion-sick speedster, has just caught up with the train and jumped in through a window!"

SpeedLimit: "Don't worry folx, I'll make sure you get there...on time 😉—" [rolls a 2] 🤢 *hurk—*

Carol: "—Aaand we're cutting back in the studio where a psychic has phoned in to tell us they see a raised drawbridge in our train's future."

#TTRPG #1PageRPG #MicroRPG

Not much happening for #xmas, but on #NYE #NewYearsEve I'll be joining a massive gaming session at my local club.

#BoardGames #gaming

a very klingon festivus
I can't even buy the ebook of an illustrated children's book because it doesn't support accessibility features? Maybe while I'm doing nothing I should really learn how to scan documents and books because I need this skill anyway...
Give your character an idyllic childhood. So they have something to lose.
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(Summer by Ivana Kobilca, 1889)
#WritingTips #writing #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #PennedPossibilities #WritersCoffeeClub