That Familiar Holiday Spirit

 

A one page RPG about throwing a holiday party for vampires...

You are the familiar of an ancient Vampire, your vampiric master lives with a small group of other vampires for comfort & community. Your master promised that in exchange for years of loyal service they will make you a vampire too, albeit someday... Unfortunately, today, instead of becoming a powerful member of the undead community, you’re running errands to prepare for a Vampiric Yule Festival. The sun is just about to set & you have just six hours until the Midnight Celebration begins...

Last year I quickly wrote up a one-page RPG in the style of John Harper's classic Lasers & Feelings to run for one of my in-person gaming groups & this year I decided to give it a quick revision to polish it and published it as a 'Pay What You Want' game on itch.io. 

It's a silly game about being the servant of a vampire during the holiday season & you can download a pdf of it on my new itch.io page for free or name your own price.

State of the Blog - November 2025

Dusting the cobwebs off this old blog as I prepare to do more RPG writing and development... It's been a while hasn't it?

The Dustballs, Evie (top) and Nadja (bottom), holding down the fort.

The Saltmarsh Register - Vol 1.18 & Vol 1.19

The Saltmarsh Register is the in-game newspaper I invented for the Ghosts of Saltmarsh game I run online every other Saturday. It is reprinted here to give others a taste of how that game has developed. WARNING, it may have spoilers for the Ghosts of Saltmarsh adventure, though I have deviated a bit from the published module.

The Saltmarsh Register

VOL 1.18 – Starday, 1st of Patchwall, 570 CY

Salinmoor’s Finest Catch of Tidbits and Tattle printed weekly each Starday, publisher Tyna Hilltopple 

THE CURSE OF THE SPOILED SHELLFISH

Sickness spoiled the last few days of Brewfest, as many citizens of this fair town were grievously ill with complaints of the stomach. It is suspected that a large portion of the shellfish provided as part of festivities are responsible for the illness. Unfortunately the editor and reporter of the Saltmarsh Register were among those struck and so the entire staff of this esteemed paper must apologize for this abbreviated edition.

VOL 1.19 – Starday, 8th of Patchwall, 570 CY

WRATH OF PROCAN STRIKES

On Watersday the 5th, Saltmarsh, and from the sounds of rumors heard from ships limping into port for repairs, much of the rest of the Azure Sea, was struck by an intense hurricane, the likes of which has not been seen for decades. Several ships sailing out of Saltmarsh are presumed to have been lost, including the Caretaker, Toward the Low Sun and Tanith and the Lion Tree. Could this have been the storm foreseen by Mabel Twicedrowned? So far the potential prophetess in residence at the temple of Procan has refused to confirm that this was the storm she saw in visions.

FLOODING IN COPPERLOCKS MINE

The great storm damaged pumps and caused flooding in the Copperlocks Mine east of Saltmarsh. Three miners are said to have drowned, unable to escape lower levels before the rising water. It is thought that repairs to the mine might last through the winter, causing delays in the output of ore.

REBUILDING BEGINS

With the winds and storm surge having damaged many buildings in Saltmarsh, the citizens of the town will be spending the next few weeks making repairs. It is thought that the price of timber will increase greatly due to the demand for wood for both ships and buildings.

FISHING TIDBITS

The skeletal fish have not been seen since before the great storm, causing some sailors to reiterate claims that they were an ill omen all along.

The Saltmarsh Register - Vol 1.17

The Saltmarsh Register is the in-game newspaper I invented for the Ghosts of Saltmarsh game I run online every other Saturday. It is reprinted here to give others a taste of how that game has developed. WARNING, it may have spoilers for the Ghosts of Saltmarsh adventure, though I have deviated a bit from the published module.

The Saltmarsh Register

VOL 1.17 – Starday, 1st of Brewfest, 570 CY

Salinmoor’s Finest Catch of Tidbits and Tattle printed weekly each Starday, publisher Tyna Hilltopple 

PANDELUME THE MAGNIFICENT AND HIS PREPOSTEROUS CIRCUS ARRIVE

Dulcinea Gideon and Davus Raal have arranged for Pandelume the Magnificent and his Preposterous Circus to entertain all of Saltmarsh to celebrate Brewfest. Pandelume, an illusionist who claims to be from far off Embelyon, will entertain crowds the evening of Godsday and Freeday and his crew of clowns, funambulists, fire-eaters and jongleurs will provide other shows and wandering entertainment during the festival week.

A SHORTAGE OF CLAW WINE!

With a combination of the festivities and several leaky barrels, Hanna Rist, proprietor of the Snapping Line, as admitted to the Saltmarsh Register that her supply of Claw Wine might run out by the end of Patchwall and more of the heady brew, a local delicacy or acquired taste, might not be fermented until well into 571. Hanna was quick to say that there would be plenty for any who desire it as part of Brewfest celebrations.

PIRATES FOILED!

Tamsyn Muir, brave captain of the Swift Blade, prevented a ship of pirates from launching an assault on Abbey Isle. Though this paper suspects that perhaps the pirates were on a smuggling run to the shady Mariner’s League outpost being established on the isle.

FISHING TIDBITS

Still no skeletal fish captured, but a great harvest of oysters has been harvested in time to provide plenty for the citizens of Saltmarsh to enjoy during our great Brewfest celebration.

The Saltmarsh Register - Vol 1.16

The Saltmarsh Register is the in-game newspaper I invented for the Ghosts of Saltmarsh game I run online every other Saturday. It is reprinted here to give others a taste of how that game has developed. WARNING, it may have spoilers for the Ghosts of Saltmarsh adventure, though I have deviated a bit from the published module.

The Saltmarsh Register

VOL 1.16 – Starday, 22nd of Harvester, 570 CY

Salinmoor’s Finest Catch of Tidbits and Tattle printed weekly each Starday, publisher Tyna Hilltopple 

ALBERTO SKOTTI NAMED KING, LONG LIVE KING ALBERTO SKOTTI

As was expected, the Royal Council of Keoland has confirmed Alberto Skotti, younger brother of the lake Kimbertos Skotti as King of Keoland. The editor and staff of the Saltmarsh Register send best wishes and congratulations to King Alberto, long may he reign.

A PROPHECY OF STORM?

This esteemed paper has learned that Mabel Twicedrowned, who lost her memory, was found at sea and now resides at the Temple of Procan, has had a vision of a terrible storm wracking sea and shore. Though unable (or unwilling?) to remember anything of her previous life, when asked by the reporter of the Register, Mabel claimed that she was certain a terrible storm would strike the Azure Sea early in Patchwall. The truth of the matter, of course, remains to be seen.

WEALTHY ROMANCE?

It is whispered in the taverns of Saltmarsh that the young, wealthy and handsome Anders Solmor has been seeking the hand of Dulcinea Gideon, despite the wealthy heiress of the Primewater fortune being over a decade his elder. Will Saltmarsh see a lavish wedding in its future? If so, you can count on the Register to provide you all you need to know about it.

FISHING TIDBITS

The skeletal school of fish has been spotted several times but none have been lucky or daring enough to capture a fish for the Saltmarsh Register, as a reminder the Saltmarsh Register is offering 50 gold for any skeletal fish that is caught and brought back to Saltmarsh while still moving

The Saltmarsh Register - Vol 1.15

The Saltmarsh Register is the in-game newspaper I invented for the Ghosts of Saltmarsh game I run online every other Saturday. It is reprinted here to give others a taste of how that game has developed. WARNING, it may have spoilers for the Ghosts of Saltmarsh adventure, though I have deviated a bit from the published module.

The Saltmarsh Register

VOL 1.15 – Starday, 15th of Harvester, 570 CY

Salinmoor’s Finest Catch of Tidbits and Tattle printed weekly each Starday, publisher Tyna Hilltopple 

MYSTERY OF MABEL TWICEDROWNED

The woman found by crew of the Pink Dot, who was brought to the temple of Procan to recover has woken. She claims not to remember anything from before she was found by the Pink Dot and has taken the name Mabel Twicedrowned. Is she telling the truth about her amnesia? Count on the Saltmarsh Register to try and find out.

KING KIMBERTOS SKOTTI DIES

King Kimbertos Skotti, beloved king of Keoland, is said to have perished from his illness on the 7th of Harvester. It is expected that the royal council will confirm his younger brother, Alberto, as his heir and new king.

NOBLE DELEGATION ARRIVES

A group of nobles have arrived from Niole Dra, seeking to hire a yacht to take pleasure cruises along the coast of the Azure Sea. They are rumored to have engaged the services of the Leaping Frog, a trading vessel that usually makes runs between Saltmarsh, Seaton and Gryrax.

FISHING TIDBITS

Several fishing boats from Saltmarsh have reported seeing schools of skeletal fish swimming through the waves. The Saltmarsh Register is offering 50 gold for any skeletal fish that is caught and brought back to Saltmarsh while still moving.

Ultraviolet Grasslands & the Black City - Session One

 

Here's your chance to catch up before the next session of Ultraviolet Grasslands & the Black City on Sunday April 25th, 2021 with video and podcasts of Session One.

The Heroes made it to the Porcelain Citadel, took a side gig, found a rusted iron ring, avoided a swarm of Vampiric Humming Spiders, crept through a field of Bloodflowers and explored an ancient ruin...

You can find recorded replays over at the Antagonist Relations Youtube channel...

Edited podcasts versions will also start appearing in the Antagonist Relations Podcast Feed...

And of course, you can watch the next session live on Twitch.tv/AntagonistRelations the Fourth Sunday of every month from 3pm-7pm Central.