I created the video found at the end of this blog post to explore the topics of cultural appropriation, Orientalism, and a lack of Japanese creators involved in the creation of the Obojima D&D 5e campaign setting. It was inspired by a post on Bluesky which contained a link to a series of articles on the topic which I read about 2-3 months ago.

As someone who is relatively new to TTRPGs (~3 years at this point, give or take), I first started with D&D 5e 2014. Before I could buy too many adventures or campaigns, D&D 5e 2024 came out. So, in my mind, a TTRPG should have 3 core books containing all the species (formerly races), classes, subclasses, monsters, and so on needed to play. Then, in 2024 I heard about the 5e fork Tales of the Valiant. If you’ve spent any time on my blog recently, you know that we’ve gone all-in on Tales of the Valiant, and haven’t really played D&D since. But I thought it was weird that Kobold Press started doing kickstarters for Monster Vault 2 and Player’s Guide 2 and were adding new species/ancestries in The Labyrinth Worldbook. “Well,” I told myself, “D&D has been around for 50 years. It’s had time to establish itself. Maybe KP needs to just put these books out now?”

Silver and Lead by Seanan McGuire

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After 2 books (and a bunch of short stories) about our main characters’ lives in the “fey Matrix” we get what is essentially a book-length epilogue. Most of plot deals in fall-out from things that happened during the time period of those books (4 months, I think). In that sense, the book turned out both both interesting and disappointing. What was interesting was indeed seeing the fallout - both mental/psychological and also what some characters did which drives the plot forward. What was disappointing is that we don’t get to see much character growth or advancement of the main plot - whatever it is Amandine’s line is supposed to do to “save fairy” or whatever the Roane foresaw that made Titania and/or Eira kill them all. Also disappointing ( and especially to my wife) was the appearance ONCE AGAIN of a certain villainous character; they just keep coming back and it’s getting a bit ridiculous.

Termination Shock by Neal Stephenson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I said it in an update and I’ll say it again: the most speculative fiction part of this book is that they’ve been through multiple rounds of COVID and people are still wearing masks and using apps to be considerate to others.

I’ve been reading Neal Stephenson since the last 90s when first read The Diamond Age and then Snow Crash. Stephenson (who might still be, but was at least at one point member of a group called something like the Long Time Society) blends his most enduring elements in this book: a long view of history, skewering of the excesses of American culture, science fiction that is often just a little bit further in the future, and characters that are clearly the modern descendants of golden age science fiction characters. To tackle the last point first, one of the notable qualities of those SFF protagonists in the 1930s and 40s is their competence and their use of logic to reason their way through issues. It makes those old books a bit stiff to read in modern times, but Stephenson adapts the idea well to our modern sensibilities.

I grew up in the days of Nintendo vs Sega. But that’s not the only rivalry I’ve been around. There was also Emacs vs Vi/Vim. And Windows vs Linux vs Mac. Basically, anywhere there’s a choice, a huge swath of humanity takes the stance that whatever they’ve chosen is the only good choice and every other choice is bad or dumb. But not everyone! Time and age have taught me that whenever there’s a bifurcated choice like that, it’s often because each is catering to a different need or way of thinking that appeals to enough people to sustain an alternative. With that in mind, as I’ve moved beyond my original TTRPG (D&D) and explored other options, I’ve seen that each publisher seems to have certain strengths. In the spirit of putting something positive out there in the world, here is what I think each publisher does best:

Gameplay

In the 2 weeks that have passed, Appaluna did research trying to find a lead on her quest to find the Servants of Nidhogg and how to rescue her sister. She learned she should go to the temple of the Goddess Rava, patron of Zobeck.

The team entered the university and made their way to Orlando’s study. Orlando was working on a gearforged body. They delivered the box which had a special brain gear for gearforged. They mentioned what happened to the thieves who tried to open the box before. Orlando explained that the effect on the box was a security mechanism that Aalthic (socerer that gave them the box) uses to make sure no one can open his packages.

Narrative

The party has agreed to work on a dwarven airship in exchange for free passage to Zobeck. Razzit Greyborn (captain) shows them around and shows them where bunks are and introduces them to the crew. The night shift is currently sleeping in the bunks. One of those asleep is a tiefling. The adventurers are helping out by filling in so that the crew can work in shifts.

At the navigation area, Appaluna helps them fly through misty conditions and they just barely miss a mountain.

The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I finally read this incredibly influential short story. I’ve recently read other short stories that directly call it out. I realize now that other stories that didn’t mention it by name were still referencing its style.

It’s a bit dated in some of its terminology, but it’s still a pretty great story for getting you thinking about philosophical ideas.

Stormlight World Guide: A Lore Compendium and Art Book for Brandon Sanderson’s The Stormlight Archive by Lydia Suen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Even if you are not planning to play the Cosmere TTRPG, this is a must-have for any true Cosmere fan. It’s mostly (80%ish) written as an encyclopedia about Roshar by our favorite worldhopper, Khriss. Lots of great art and great information on all the nations and cities we’ve seen (or just heard of) in the Stormlight archive. There’s a “history” section that’s a nice, condensed summary of the 5 books out so far. (A least in terms of the events of the books, not anything related to the main characters and their journeys)

Brown Sugar Kitchen: New-Style, Down-Home Recipes from Sweet West Oakland by Tanya Holland

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Part cookbook and part guide to Oakland California, this is a very interesting cookbook. I’ve made the waffles and custom apple cider syrup. I teed up many other recipes to make in the future. If you like southern/new orleans style food, you’ll find some interesting recipes here.