@shawnmerwin.bsky.social
Contract Game Designer for Wizards of the Coast. Designer/Developer/Editor for Ghostfire Gaming, MCDM, and others. Podcaster with Mastering Dungeons and the Eldritch Lorecast. Teacher of Writing for RPGs at Fredonia State University. Worder of words.
@randomencounters.bsky.socialReposted by @shawnmerwin.bsky.socialYouTube catch-up project update.
I just posted the interview @dndlorecast.bsky.social and I did with @shawnmerwin.bsky.social
Tomorrow I'm going to be DMing the last Encounter's event for the Season of Magic and letting my players know when we're going to start up the next!
@dmdavid.comReposted by @shawnmerwin.bsky.socialIn a campaign book, I saw a hook where a dying NPC asks the party to perform a task to memorialize her. I know how this plays: 1. NPC gasps dying wish. 2. PC interrupts to cast cure wounds. 3. The DM struggles with whether to contrive to have the NPC die anyway, which feels like railroading.
@shawnmerwin.bsky.socialHappy birthday Ethan! I'm always excited to see your amazing work, and I hope your year-to-come is wonderful.
@thewelshdm.bsky.socialReposted by @shawnmerwin.bsky.socialOkay legitimately DnDBeyond drops is probably the best thing coming from D&D in a while.
The latest one having a whole - pretty damn cool - subclass in it as well.
And it hits @shawnmerwin.bsky.social's three Fs of game design.
Love it (now to convince my player to be taken by the shadowfell...)
@shawnmerwin.bsky.socialToday's writing and design is brought to you by John Lee Hooker, and the letter B.
@shawnmerwin.bsky.social
@the-i-of-qing.bsky.socialReposted by @shawnmerwin.bsky.socialG'day, Australia! I'll be speaking about freelancing in TTRPGs at ARC TTRPG Online Con. Details below!
Time and Date: 12.00pm - 1.30pm, 4 October (AEDT/GMT+10)
Discord server link: discord.gg/dRHUhjqD3
(Table Talk 1 voice channel)
@dmacalvert.bsky.socialReposted by @shawnmerwin.bsky.socialI was talking about running D&D for my nephews with some of my students this morning and brought up Peril in Pinebrook by @shawnmerwin.bsky.social as a super simple way to introduce the game to people.
@shawnmerwin.bsky.socialParking lot prophet: “There’s not much you can do about anything.”
@shawnmerwin.bsky.socialTime to make the #ttrpgs! Wishing everyone a fun-filled and restful Labor Day to those who celebrate. For everyone else, have a fun-filled Monday!
@shawnmerwin.bsky.socialWhat's the difference between a good bit of writing and a great one? Far too often the answer is "one more draft."
@shawnmerwin.bsky.social@shawnmerwin.bsky.socialI've backed this project by my friend @jamesintrocaso.bsky.social and I hope you'll check it out. I playtested the game last year and had a lot of fun, and I'm looking forward to the final version!
@shawnmerwin.bsky.socialOne of the joys of #ttrpg design is the variety of mental muscles you use: detailed rules design now, mapping in a hour, adventure content design tomorrow, playtesting the next day, rules development tomorrow night, editing after, and something different next week: a whirlwind of creative energy.
@shawnmerwin.bsky.socialIn 15 minutes I'll be joining Tom Christy of @d20play.bsky.social live to talk about game design, #Dnd Encounters, and other topics. Join us!
@shawnmerwin.bsky.socialI joined Sean @crithitthegiant.bsky.social to talk about #ttrpg design and the #dnd Encounters adventure Shadows of Sithicus. It's great to get to talk about specific adventure details and what they mean to game play. Give a listen if you're so inclined! crithitthegiant.com/2026/06/19/s...
@shawnmerwin.bsky.socialThe first adventures in Ghostfire Gaming's Grim Hunt campaign are available to the public. @skerrit7h3green.bsky.social @andydempz.bsky.social and I worked hard to bring the flavor of Grim Hollow to life. I hope you enjoy these #dnd 5.5e adventures!
