Monday Musings #79 🤬
Musings on a year of games.
Good Monday, Gamer!
“He knows if you're Chaotic or Good, so be good for the party's sake!” – Santa GM
It’s hard to believe we’re wrapping up another year of Monday Musings. 2024 came in swinging, full of incredible games, unexpected adventures, and moments that reminded me why we roll dice in the first place. Let’s take a look back at the highlights, the lessons, and the good, the bad, and the wyrd of this year in tabletop RPGs.
The Games That Defined My 2024
This year was a mixed bag of new experiments and revisiting old favorites:
The One Ring continues to hold its place in my heart, especially with Through the Doors of Durin turning Moria into the quintessential mega-dungeon. My ongoing Moria open-table campaign has been a sandbox of orcs, dwarves, and emergent stories that keep me coming back for more. Every session is a reminder of what I love about RPGs: exploration, danger, and characters finding hope in the darkest places.
Dolmenwood gave me a chance to play as a player instead of GM for a short campaign. Breggle magic, fae shenanigans, and that perfect blend of BX weirdness reminded me why I love this hobby from both sides of the table. Plus, it made me look at other OSR settings with fresh eyes.
Burning Wheel stole the show for me again this year. There’s something about the sheer depth of character-driven play that keeps me hooked. I ran a few pick-up games and sold a couple of copies along the way—Luke Crane, I’m still waiting on my commission check!
I also dipped my toes into Black Void thanks to my kid, Max, and his relentless enthusiasm for weird Babylonian cosmic horror. While it hasn’t fully clicked for me yet, the setting has evocative powers, we'll see how our next session plays out.
The Velvet Glove. I simply love this game. Maybe it's the folks I've played it with. But it feels good exploring a space that isn't soo 'troped-out'.
The Black Sword Hack. I didn’t get it to the table this year (again!), but its evocative, Moorcock-inspired chaos is calling to me for 2025.
Projects, Pivots, and Progress
It was a year of making things happen.
Lifted: Indomitable continued to grow, with new demos and the debut of the Deep Water one-shot scenario. Inspired by Vincent Baker’s approach to convention play, I’ve designed this as a series of rapid-fire mini-sessions that give players a full arc in just a few hours. It’s been an exciting challenge to balance the comic-book feel with meaningful player decisions.
TinyCon.events launched this year, and while the Kickstarter didn’t hit its funding goal, it was a valuable learning experience. The idea isn’t dead—just resting while I figure out what’s next for it.
I’ve also leaned into my solo gaming more this year, particularly with The One Ring’s Moria solo rules. My hand-drawn maps, notes, and journals have turned into a kind of creative therapy, and I’m excited to share some of that journey with you all in 2025.
And prototyping Grimoires! My Wizard survival sandbox (video) game.
What I Learned in 2024
Stay Open: Whether it’s playing with young kids at a convention table or trying a game you didn’t think was your style (looking at you, Black Void), being open to new experiences keeps the hobby fresh --at least for me!
Better Prep, More Play: I’ve doubled down on emergent play this year, focusing on setting up situations for players to explore and resolve and sandbox construction. It’s been freeing as a GM and has led to some of the most unexpected and satisfying moments at the table.
The People Matter Most: Whether it’s gaming with my kid, old friends, or strangers at a con, the people at the table are what make this hobby special. Games are just the vehicle—the people are the experience.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Next year’s going to be 🤷🏾♂️ I’ve got plans for more long-term campaigns, and hopefully, I'll have a run at Invisible Sun. I want to run more OSR games with my locals and finally get The Black Sword Hack on the table.
On the creative side, I’ll be focusing on Lifted: Indomitable and a new supers podcasts, and maybe even dusting off some old ideas for fresh projects. And of course, Monday Musings will continue to roll on—sharing thoughts, games, and a little chaos every week.
Your Turn
What games defined your 2024? What are you hoping to play, run, or create next year? —hit reply or drop a comment to share your highlights.
Here’s to another year of rolling dice, telling stories, and playing fearless.
ICYMI
And The Diceology 2024 Wrap w/ Judd Karlman
Catch ya next week!