INDEPENDENT TTRPG CREATOR INTERVIEW: Carson Daniel Lowmiller

Its always good to get in on the ground floor with a new independent creator, however whilst Tales of Myriad has been in development for a few years, its found its publisher thanks to layout artist HTTPaladin.  Coming soon to to backerkit or Kickstater, if you're interested you can go to their discord for a preview of the game and when it goes live for funding, the creators want the backers to access the game to provide feedback which when the project goes live, stretch goals will include additional text and artwork.

Here we've been lucky enough to have a chat with Carson to find out a little more about his creation alongside how he see's himself developing, join us now as we get to learn a little more....  

Totally Pawsome:  As a creator of (modules for) TTRPG's, what inspired you to write the one you're most proud of?

Carson Daniel Lowmiller:  Well, I’m very proud that I’ve managed to get so far with my first project “Tales from Myriad”, the inspiration for which came from various JRPG’s, a love for exploration, and being a GM myself. A lot of these elements are what drove me to develop the various mechanics and tools in the game!

TP:  What would you say is the best selling point of your TTRPG's?

CDL:  Both how easy it is to pick up,  how it serves both the players and the GM with its aforementioned charts, and the art style. As an illustrator, I was able to develop something unique in that regard, concerning what is currently available in the TTRPG space! As for the tools, there are a lot of things in Tales from Myriad that can be transferred over to other games as the flowcharts are more conceptual than spelled out - a level of applicability that I personally find useful regardless of the system.

TP:  Why the TTRPG space?

CDL:  Easy, I love TTRPGs haha. I was/am a GM, so a lot of the tools are things that helped me - but it was also designed in a way that would let me enjoy being a player since I always had a very clear vision as to what a “game” should entail, which left me as the “forever GM”.

TP:  What is your favourite product that you produce and why?

CDL:  I’ve only got the one currently - Tales from Myriad! Its currently my favorite because of how far its gotten regardless of how new I am to the space. I feel very lucky.

TP:  What is your current work in progress and what can you tell us about it?

CDL:  I always have multiple things on the stove! Of which include a small brigade-and-story-based wargame, a horror board game, a tough “liar's dice” inspired combat system, and quite a few more.

TP:  Who do you think would love to play your TTRPG's and why?

CDL:  People who love fashion, exploring, creative problem solving, and getting into the mechanics of a game. There are so many fun ways to really take advantage of how much you can physically affect the world around you! I personally love Final Fantasy Tactics and Discworld, so if you like fantasy that floats along that river, you’d probably like Myriad!

TP:  Where do you see your TTRPG writing career taking you in 5 years?

CDL:  If I don’t up and make my own publishing company, I will always be making and releasing smaller projects. I’d love to make TTRPGs more accessible to people, so I think smaller projects are the way to go.

TP:  If you were given the time and opportunity to develop something unique, what would it be and why?

CDL:  Either a team-based 3D Tales from Myriad game that plays like a MOBA mixed with splatoon, or a tactics-style isometric Myriad game. I don’t have lofty goals, I just want people to be able to play more games haha.

TP:  Who do you admire in the Independent TTRPG writing space and why?

CDL:  Anyone who ever finished a project ever. Lord have mercy, I thought this would be 80% making the game, 20% getting it out, but making the game is genuinely only 30% (depending on your goals).

TP:  What got you into TTRPG's in the first place?

CDL:  I always made games, as a result of being bored. I remember seeing the 4e D&D Book and buying it with my limited money as a kid, and pouring through the art. Never played it, but it sparked the conversation with my brother and dad about if they’d ever heard of D&D, to which they sat in stunned silence, both having decades of experience with it between them (and never bothering to tell me about it, apparently). Wound up starting a Pathfinder game with them a few years later (we were a busy family).

INDEPENDENT TTRPG ACCESSORY CREATORS: Calendar of Click Clacks - Various

 

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Maths Rocks,

Our friends, independent dice makers:

Green Leaf Geek, 

Nonagon Dice, 

Cipher Dice, 

Nerdy Narwhal, 

The Evergreen Burrow, 

Deja Dice, 

Fox E Poxy Creations, 

Bardice Inspiration,   

Hummingbird Dice, 

Dice Witchery, 

Evewyns Workshop, 

Transmutation Dice, 

are launching a Crowdfundr to create a calendar featuring beautifully crafted maths rocks for TTRPG'ers.  This has just launched and will give you all sorts of cool features if they hit their goals including some fab Chibi Cards.  Please go here to check it out.


Thunder Mouser.

INDEPENDENT TTRPG CREATOR INTERVIEW: Free Press Radicals

Its always a good thing to have choice in the TTRPG world yet most people only ever get to hear of the big boys in the market such as Dungeons and Dragons, Vampire The Masquerade, but there are small independents who really work hard, developing their own systems with rules to give any enthusiast a game to their own personal taste.

Here we were lucky enough to grab a word with Gregory Rapp, who publishes Free Radicals Press in the US who has hreated games for a decade with some success over the last year or two, and whilst working alongside Tyler McAlister on many games and settings, is wanting to show what they have not only under their belt but also what they're working on and improving to give the gamer an even better experience...

Totally Pawsome:  As a creator of modules for TTRPG's, what inspired you to write the one you're most proud of?

G Michael Rapp:  I was inspired to write one of my first successful (and, also, the one I proudest of) projects, Bella Ciao! following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Bella Ciao! attempts to wrangle the idea of armed resistance and what it means to be a so called “freedom fighter,” among other things. I grew up during the late 90s and early 2000s, so I am also familiar with the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which also inspired the design and development of Bella Ciao!  I remember watching the news reports of insurgents, extremists, and the like, fighting in these wars, and I always kept wondering, why did they go and fight against an opponent like the United States? What was a stake for them? Why did they join their respective causes?

TP:  What would you say is the best selling point of your TTRPG's?

GMR:  I would say the best selling point of my TTRPG project comes down to moving away from the D&D, OSR, and retroclone grind. While I appreciate these, for various reasons, I wanted to get away from these systems and their design philosophies to make something new, something different. I found René Pier’s Breathless RP system back in 2022 and have since begun working on a new system, inspired by Breathless, called Rapture. Rapture attempts to offer a more modular approach to universal rules systems, so that referees (our name for GMs/DMs) and their players can use what works best for them.

Better yet, the Rapture system, which powers many of our games, is free for those who don’t mind downloading a PDF or using the public facing SRD websites.

TP:  What is your favourite product that you produce and why?

GMR:  My favorite product, thus far, has been producing small, self-contained games with unique settings or gaming situations. We’ve, that’s Tyler and I, published Dragontown: City of a Billion Lost Souls, which has been a real blast to work on and develop into something that isn’t out on the market. Yeah, there are a lot of fantasy games out there, but few have explored the intersections of fantasy and noir, which is where Dragontown comes in. The setting is unique, the game is the first rendition of our Rapture system, and the project took us to places we’d never imagined. People from all over the world have downloaded and played this game with its weird setting, a modern city crammed with a billion souls.

TP:  What is your current work in progress and what can you tell us about it?

GMR:  The current WIP, at the moment, consists of Rapture’s Big Red Ugly Edition, which should, ideally, be released in print, PDF, and online sometime in April or May, possibly later. The Big Red Ugly Edition brings together the different Rapture rules we’ve designed and developed for our different standalone games. The final core rulebook will be around 90 and 120 pages, and it will be full color, too. Those who purchase the revamped editions of our settings, originally the standalone games, will receive a copy of the Big Red Ugly Edition. The idea here is to make the core rules as accessible as is possible. The rules are also shorter than originally planned, as we want people to pick up and play this game, with its different upcoming setting books, as quickly as possible.

TP:  Who do you think would love to play your TTRPG's and why?

GMR:  To answer this, I would say anyone who wants to engage in collective storytelling, worldbuilding, and gaming experiences. We are also trying to make sure all our products help make solo and coop gaming easier as well. In all, those who wish to move away from D&D and some of the more legacy oriented games, this is a system for you. If you’ve played Breathless games, this is a game system for you. If you want to create deeper characters, without the complexities often seen in other RP systems, this is a game for you. We believe in offering a modular approach, which supports the larger gaming group and referee needs in terms of complexity, depth, and adaptability.

TP:  Where do you see your TTRPG writing career taking you in 5 years?

GMR:  I think my TTRPG writing (and publishing) will take me to new heights I’d never imagined, such as being able to attend conventions more regularly, being an active (and productive) member of the TTRPG community, and being able to play more games with new people. While making loads of money sounds nice, it’s not likely, but the other things are, which are exciting.

TP:  If you were given the time and opportunity to develop something unique, what would it be and why?

GMR:  I would love to write a game in the same vein as Traveller minus some of the complexity. I think it’s a great game, sure, but it has a learning curve that is quite brutal for newbies. I like the idea of using 2d6 or even 3d6 for this project, as I’ve never limited myself to a standard d6 before. Usually, I’m all about tossing in more polyhedral dice to spice things up.

TP:  Who do you admire in the Independent TTRPG writing space and why?

GMR:  I really admire a lot of folks in the independent TTRPG scene. They include folk like René-Pier, who introduced me to his Breathless system, and who has been an amazing, warm, and constructive force  within the TTRPG scene. You also have folks like Lost Guide Games, Pandion Games, Mike Low, and so many more, who are always there to listen, offer feedback, and even playtest what you’ve been working on. I have to say the indie TTRPG is awesome, and I am proud to be part of this group, for sure.

TP:  What got you into TTRPG's in the first place?

I got into TTRPGs back in the early 2000s. I was introduced to them through schoolteachers and mentors, and I began really playing back around 2006 or 2007. My first Game Master was David Howe, who introduced me to games like Shadowrun and the various White Wolf games. I played for several hours each day, in a tiny office with three chairs, until I graduated from Dulce High School in Dulce, New Mexico. I later became the forever GM/DM of my own group in college. I now play with different friends and family members I can convince to join me for some debauchery, among other things

INDEPENDENT TTRPG CREATOR: Kickstarter for Harrow: The Blighted Plain

 

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Maths Dice,

Our friends at Oracle Underground Publishing have launched their kickstarter to fund their game set in a crystalpunk setting.

Whilst funded, they're hoping to get more people to join the growing ranks so that they can add more fabulous art to their work at the next level,   For more information go here.

Thundermouser

INDEPENDENT TTRPG CREATOR ARTIST: Carl Springer

They always say that when you do what you love, you never do a days work in your life, and our guest today, Carl Springer has been creating fantasy art in his own unique style for a few years professionally as a freelancer with companies such as Paizo, Twin Drums and Petersen Games.  

Gracious enough to agree to an interview with us, we asked a few basic questions to allow you to get know this fabulous creator...

Totally Pawsome:  As an artist, what comes first for you, the story or a snapshot and why?

Carl Springer:  Hey, firstly I just want to thank you for having a platform where you can do these interviews and allowing me to contribute.

So to answer your question usually the story comes first, because when I'm working from a brief there is already a description of the character and I'm trying figure out who they are, what do they do, what is their story.

TP:  What would you say sells your art to people?

CS:  Hmmm that’s a hard thing to answer, because I've never asked anyone, but I'd guess it's my designs and the fact I create African fantasy art which is refreshing and unique within the western TTRPG community

TP:  Why the TTRPG space?

CS:  I’ve always been into fantasy art and rpg games and became more strongly connected with it when my favourite fantasy artists worked heavily on 4th Edition of D&D, since then I was drawn in by how the fans of ttrpg shared the same love I have for fantasy and it’s a strong close Nitt community, I have always found nerds like me welcoming plus I  love history and lore and to me all the D&D books were just that.

TP:  What is your favourite piece that you've created and why?

CS:  My favourite piece I've created is not a ttrpg character but one of my own character designs for my African fantasy project, it's of a Griot (Mage in my universe) and I love it because the colours are unique and the research into African cultures such as the Fulani and Hausa really come through in the design but in a fantastical way.

https://artstation.com/artwork/8wN61q

TP:  Coming up with a piece is often an idea that gets written into a journal to come back on. How often do you find yourself working on one piece and another comes to mind and can you give an example?

CS:  So for me I don’t have much of a problem with that, as I'm always worldbuilding in my mind but once I start designing a character all my research and sketching goes into developing my characters lore/ background.

I find it difficult bouncing between pieces because once I start on a journey, I need to see that quest to the end, my side quests so to speak are usually what weapon or clothing I can design for the character

TP:  What do you think is most inspiring about your pieces and why?

CS:  Most inspiring I would say is that in my own work I design a lot of black characters in fantasy that are inspired by cultures of black origin.

https://artstation.com/artwork/8w2a9q

TP:  Where do you see your artwork taking you in 5 years?

CS:  5 Years honestly, I don’t know each day in art for me is a battle of self-doubt and perseverance, so I just try to focus on keep creating, but I'd like to be working on a fantasy rpg game as a character designer/concept artist

TP:  If you were given the time and opportunity to create anything you wanted what would it be and why?

CS:  So I kind of already do it creating art for my African fantasy world Ma’at Dynasty but given more time id just continue creating that world, I'd love to be able to travel to countries in Africa and draw and experience it first had. I'm a big believer that fantasy is just history and culture we’ve forgot and retell in a different way.

TP:  Who do you admire in the fantasy art community and why?

CS:   Easily my top 3 favourite fantasy artists that all worked on D&D 4e like I mentioned before are Jesper Ejsing, Wayne Reynolds and Steve Prescott I practically live in their visualisation of fantasy, with Richard Whitters and Vinod Rams being other honourable mentions

TP:  What got you into TTRPG's in the first place?

CS:  No one in particular got me into TTRPG’s I was actually the one that got my friends into it, which wasn’t difficult because we’re all gamers and love RPG games. But to answer your question it was just a natural progression for me, I follow where fantasy art takes me and I was bound to end up at ttrpgs sooner or later.

INDEPENDENT TTRPG CREATOR INTERVIEW: Zimxter

 

TTRPG Creators come from all walks of life and whilst fantasy does at times make for strange bed fellows there are times when someone with real world experience makes a statement that could help many others.  Zimxter is a real world business consultant and really hopes to help others make thier TTRPG business their full time job whether its coaching from the ground up or helping formulate business plans.  

Here we grabbed a word with her about her world of Launtrel and also delved a little deeper into what makes her tick and why she chose the TTRPG space.  To keep up to date with her, and the updates for her creation please visit her Twitter or Discord.

Totally Pawsome:  As a creator of modules for TTRPG's, what inspired you to write the one you're most proud of?

Zimxster- Launtrel is a homebrewed setting for Dungeons and Dragons 5e.  I started writing Launtrel while my husband was deployed on a submarine. There was very little/no contact, so I need something to pass the time. I wanted to build something really cool to have something exciting to tell my husband when he returned to help us reconnect and him transition back home. I have always loved the trickery and craziness of the Feywild, as Wild Beyond the Witchlight was my first campaign I ever ran. The setting allows for anything to happen and no idea to be too strong. The idea of the realm being centered around balance, and the sub-virtues around it came from my own desire to become more centered and well-rounded and the virtues I wanted to instill in myself.

TP:  What would you say is the best selling point of your TTRPG's?

Z:  My biggest selling point is the uniqueness of the world. A lot of Homebrew D&D content is centered around the Material Plane (which is still fun!) where mine focuses on the Feywild. I am essentially building a ground up with custom races and subclasses that are unique and fun. 

TP:  Why the TTRPG space?

Z:  Why the TTRP space? Well, that's my hobby! It's what I love. I love creating stories with friends that are told for months or years to come. 

TP:  What is your favourite product that you produce and why?

Z:  Launtrel is currently the only product I produce, so therefore, my favorite! 

TP:  What is your current work in progress and what can you tell us about it?

Z:  Currently Launtrel as a whole is my work in progress. Currently I am focused on building the important aspects of the world- Arch Feys, regions and all of their major cities and important people. Additionally, my husband is helping create an intricate, but easy to learn crafting system and sub classes. When that is complete, we will be launching a podcast!

TP:  Who do you think would love to play your TTRPG's and why?

Z:  Anyone who loves horror and the Fey or anyone who wants to see something intriguing. It will also appeal to those yearning for more crafting in their worlds, as my crafting system can be picked up and transplanted into any TTRP system or D&D campaign or world.

TP:  Where do you see your TTRPG writing career taking you in 5 years?

Z:  I hope to see my career turning into a thriving community around Launtrel and my podcast. Hopefully by the end of those five years or earlier, I will be launching Launtrel as a seperate TTRP away from D&D and standing on its own. I one day want to make a living off my favorite thing and hobby.

TP:  If you were given the time and opportunity to develop something unique, what would it be and why?

Z:  I would keep working on Launtrel at full force and be able to seperate from D&D a lot sooner. I would be able to provide more play opportunities for people and fully create an entertaining and engaging podcast.

TP:  Who do you admire in the Independent TTRPG writing space and why?

Z:  I most admire Ginny D. She was the first woman I saw in the TTRP face, and her boldness to be whimsical self inspired me to do the same. My dream would be collaborating with her or for her to review my game.

TP:  What got you into TTRPG's in the first place?

Z:  My husband. I had been kept out of TTRP spaces for the longest time. When I was a teenager, I wanted to play D&D with a small group, but was told I couldn't because I was "a girl" and I would either "not understand" or "not be able to handle combat" or "ruin the group". I was blocked out for similar reasons all the way through college. It wasn't until I met my husband that I finally was able to break in.

INDEPENDENT TTRPG CREATOR INTERVIEW: Fey Earth

Having created their own system, Fey Earth is going to be launching later this year with its own kickstarter.  (Follow Fey Earth on Twitter to keep up to date with the latest.)  

Set in the 19th Century, The Explorers Guide to Fey Earth, is a 256 page core rule book that will bring the magic of the seelie and unseelie courts to the reader in epic adventures set where they invade our own world.  (You can see Gameplay on their twitch here.)

In their first interview we had a chance to ask some key questions and of course, we will be following what they get up to during their kickstarter as well as keeping you all up to date with further news from this independent TTRPG Creator.  

Totally Pawsome:  As a creator of modules for TTRPG's, what inspired you to write the one you're most proud of?

Fey Earth:  One day an idea popped into my head. What would the world be like if all the creatures from fairytale and folklore were real, had always been real and openly lived alongside humanity? From that simple idea grew the idea of a ttrpg and once I started thinking about it I felt I had to write it

TP:  What would you say is the best selling point of your TTRPG's?

FE:  Unlike just about every other ttrpg Fey Earth is heavily based on the actual folklore from the areas of the world that appear. So you will find fey creatures that are depicted in a much more faithful fashion and get a real sense of the actual lore of the cultures these creatures came from

TP:  Why the TTRPG space?

FE:  I'm not a writer of novels and knew this was the best way to tell my story. I also love the idea of creating a world that others can tell stories in and ttrpgs are the best way to create that.

TP:  What is your favourite product that you produce and why?

FE:  I've only produced two products, my work in progress Fey Earth which is about 85% written and a small one-shot RPG using the caltrop core system I co-wrote with a friend that is based on the beloved 90s children's cartoon the Animals of Farthing Wood. While I love Escape to Willbrook Woods, Fey Earth is my true love

TP:  What is your current work in progress and what can you tell us about it?

FE:  Fey Earth is about 85% written. I am currently trying to grow a fan base in the hopes of launching a successful kickstarter. I recently started an actual play stream on twitch in the hopes of growing my fan base and will be continuing to work on this.

TP:  Who do you think would love to play your TTRPG's and why?

FE:  Anyone who loves folklore and stories of fairies and the fey. But also people who love gothic, victorian stories and steampunk as the game is set in the 19th century and has steampunk and victorian themes

TP:  Where do you see your TTRPG writing career taking you in 5 years?

FE:  Hopefully I will be a successfully published game designer and will have launched at least one but hopefully two regional expansions of Fey Earth

TP:  If you were given the time and opportunity to develop something unique, what would it be and why?

FE:  Fey Earth is unique. It uses it's own unique system in it's own unique world. It is not a 5e product and any other ttrpg system

TP:  Who do you admire in the Independent TTRPG writing space and why?

FE:  I really love @blackgirlmage She wrote an amazing, rules light RPG called No Bump in the Night. A lovely game in which you play toys protecting their children from the monsters under the bed. It's probably my favourite one-shot game. But there are so many other incredible writers it's hard to pick one. The team at @gamesparable produced an amazing horror RPG that I love but haven't had a chance to play yet. I also thing people like @titanomachyRPG who designed the Caltrop Core system is another example of an incredible writer who has created such wonderful systems.

TP:  What got you into TTRPG's in the first place?

FE:  When I was about 10 years old my best friend told me about a game that his cousins had taught him where you get to play knights and wizards. 2nd Edition DnD was my introduction into TTRPGs and I loved being able to create stories