by Bruce McG

So, Mother Nature dumped all this snow on us... When is she taking it back?



Maybe this Snowshoe Hare knows?

New releases at your FLGS (sourced by Leisure Games)

5-Star Match
:star: 5-Star Match - Leafy Dragon Games

5e Game System Product (D&D 5th Edition Compatible)
:star: Apocalisse: John's Guide to the Armageddon - Acheron Games (Acheron Books)
:star: Apocalisse: Monsters of the Armageddon - Acheron Games (Acheron Books)
:star: FiveEvil: Fiendish 5E Horror - Handiwork Games

Assemblage
:star: Assemblage - Critical Kit

Bettin’ Bullets
:star: Bettin’ Bullets - Radio James Games

Delta Green: The Role-Playing Game
:star: The New Age - Arc Dream Publishing

Festival of the Hidden Moon
:star: The Festival of the Hidden Moon - Starlight Grove

The Goodest Girls
:star: The Goodest Girls - Critical Kit

Mappa Mundi - An Exploration + Ecology RPG
:star: Mappa Mundi - Three Sails Studios

Mörk Borg Compatible Product
:star: SLA Borg - Nightfall Games
:star: SLA Borg GM Screen & Mini Adventure - Nightfall Games

Mothership
:star: Graveyard of the Gods - RV Games
:star: Radio Free Hekate - RV Games
:star: Rampant (deluxe) - RV Games

Palanquin
:star: Palanquin - Genesis of Legend Publishing

Shiver
:star: Agents of L.A.N.C.E. - Parable Games
:star: Unseen War - Parable Games

New PDF releases @ DriveThru

5e Game System Product (D&D 5th Edition Compatible)
:star: Paraprismatic Tempest - Logan Laidlaw

Cepheus Engine System
:star: Fantasy Companion Second Edition - Zozer Games

Champions (Hero System 6)
:star: Strike Force Organizations - High Rock Press

Cyberpunk RED
:star: Interface RED Volume 5 - R. Talsorian Games, Inc.

Loner
:star: Galaxy Drifter - Zotiquest Games

Many Sought Adventure
:star: Many Sought Adventure - Kabuki Kaiser

MONSTROSITY
:star: MONSTROSITY - Candlenaut

Retro-clones
:star: D66 Hexes to Explore - Philip Reed Games
:star: The Haunted Keep - Old School Dungeon Master

Storypath System
:star: Storypath Ultra Tasty Bit 01: Massive Monsters - Onyx Path Publishing

Wrath & Glory
:star: Adventures in Gilead - Cubicle 7 Entertainment

Witch: Fated Souls 2E
:star: Witch: Fated Souls 2E - Angry Hamster Publishing

by Rachel

Happy 5th Friday of 2026, everyone!! And as always on Friday, here are the current Friday links: 2026 Friday on Friday: Play Friday EVERY Friday of 2026 and Friday on Friday, January 2026.

Hello, Level 3!

Whomp, whomp, whomp...

That's a Red Phase loss.

My final score was 15 pts: 41 points from Fighting Cards, -5 points from Aging Cards, 0 points from lifepoints, 0 points for defeating neither pirate, and -21 points from Unbeaten Hazards. I almost made it to the pirates... looks like I'll be starting February on Level 3.

---------------------------

Weekly Updates:

Challenge Updates:
:d10-1: 2023 Extreme Numerology Challenge / 2024 Extreme Numerology Challenge / 2025 Extreme Numerology Challenge: Wrapping up. Microbadges for 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 will be awarded, please stay tuned! 2026 is live: 2026 Extreme Numerology Challenge
:d10-2: Fire in the Library- Summer/Fall 2023 Solo Challenge- Extended!!: Done! Stay tuned for a new series of mini challenges that include some more Weird Giraffe-themed fan promos. COMING THIS SUMMER! (2026)
:d10-3: 2025 Challenge: 25 un(der)played in 25: is Wrapped! If you spot errors or make updates, please geekmail me.
:d10-4: 2026 Challenge: 26 un(der)played in 26: is Active!
:d10-5: A special note on the Friday on Friday challenges: ALL owed microbadges should be system-awarded THIS YEAR. ALL microbadge reimbursements complete! Update: Stay tuned for progress on microbadges!


Designer's Corner:
:d10-1: The 7th Seal : Work continues. Slowly.
:d10-2: Finders Keepers: No new progress.
:d10-3: Charge the Circle: Ready for Pitching! & Currently re-working for self-publication via The Game Crafter in early 2026! Current timeline: I want this to be for sale by March 1st! Here's the sitch: the game is fine to pitch in its current form BUT needs quite a bit of work if I'm going to put this up on The Game Crafter and get the game noticed that way. The current art.. probably isn't enough to catch attention. I've got ideas... but I'm also open to ideas, so, if you've got anything you'd like to share or anything you'd like to see, please let me know! You can follow along with the ongoing graphic development and vote for your favorite versions here: A new edition coming in 2026!. Yes, there are currently some comments/feedback waiting for me that I haven't addressed. I will get there! Promise! I'm just juggling a lot of irons right now.
:d10-4: Bears love Bows: Merry Trashmas edition: Now pitching! Pitch still still ongoing??? No reply to my follow-up... Still working on a pitch video because at this point, it can't hurt... and I'm crap with video so the going is SLOW
:d10-5: Really Retail: No new progress.
:d10-6: Barricade Brigade: No new progress.
:d10-7: The Boxcats of Meowazon : No new progress.
:d10-8: Contagion and Calamity: The Philadelphia Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793: formerly Philly Fever 1793: No new progress.
:d10-9: Read the Runes: No new progress.
:d10-1::d10-0: 10 Minutes to Midnight: I've still got feedback to address over in the WIP thread... *sigh* This has been lower on my priority list of late...
:d10-1::d10-1: Eight Elephants: Ready for pitching! As much as I'd like this game to join Charge the Circle on The Game Crafter... the art pretty much disqualifies it. That said, I am looking into a re-skin/re-theme of either this or Eighteen Eggs. This may be an opportunity for Snow Storm/Snow Squall to evolve... Thoughts?
:d10-1::d10-2: Surfboard Stealin' Sea Otters: Officially my entry in this year's 54-Card Contest! Contest complete! #2 Best Family Game and #8 Best Overall Game! Woot! Post-contest: expect some minor revisions in the next month or so, then I plan on pitching the otters and seeing if I can catch some waves...
:d10-1::d10-3: Rolling Runes Rules/components still in-progress. Game delayed to 2026 Roll and Write Contest.
:d10-1::d10-4: Tricky Treats: Video still in-progress. Game now considered complete and officially Ready for Pitching!
:d10-1::d10-5: Defend your Dreams: (formerly Dreamcatcher Duty): No new progress.
:d10-1::d10-6: Squirrelly (formerly Woodland Warriors) : Contest complete! #3 for Best Art! 2 mini expansions available! Ready for pitching!
:d10-1::d10-7: Trick or Treat : No new progress.
:d10-1::d10-8: Last Leaves : No new progress. Planning on entering this is the 2026 Children and Family Game Design Contest- family category.
:d10-1::d10-9: Fireworks for the Fourth: Ready for pitching! No new progress, though it would be nice to get this on The Game Crafter before July 4th...
:d10-2::d10-0: Composer's Cat: 2024 In-Hand Game Design Contest: 5th Best Multiplayer Game; 6th Best Innovative Mechanic; 7th Best Use of Theme; and 4th Best Low-Ink Printing! Major revision complete, new video, AND officially entered in the 2026 Cardboard Edison! Print & Play Assembly Guide coming soon!
:d10-2::d10-1: Unnamed design: Involves the Titanic and Jenny the ship cat... No new progress.
:d10-2::d10-2: Nine Nopes: No new progress.
:d10-2::d10-3: Book it!: No new progress.
:d10-2::d10-4: Librarian's Cat: formerly Palm Library. formerly Littlest Library. 2025 In-Hand Game Design Contest: contest is complete... but I've got plenty of unfinished business to see to and I intend to see it all through! Please stay tuned! Sell sheet available.
:d10-2::d10-5: Elements: Ready for pitching! No new progress.
:d10-2::d10-6: Knick Knacks: Shaker Showdown : Contest complete! #3 Best Solo Game, #3 Best 2 Player Game, and #4 Best Family Game! Not bad, not bad at all, especially since I fell woefully behind on the comments... I do plan on addressing all of the feedback. And I do want to continue to refine and improve the game. There's a decent little game here and it's worth pursuing. Still working on additional revisions, including some interesting new twists to the gameplay.
:d10-2::d10-7: History Heist: On hold.
:d10-2::d10-8: Lost in the Labyrinth. No new progress.
:d10-2::d10-9: Critter Calls: Ready for pitching! And TTS is live! Video still in-progress!
:d10-3::d10-0: Dragon's Draw: No new progress.
:d10-3::d10-1: Push to the Peak: No new progress.
:d10-3::d10-2: Cardshop Caretaker: No new progress.
:d10-3::d10-3: Unlucky Spirits, Revised Edition: EXCITING TIMES: New thread posted! New working rulebook posted! New print and play files posted! Uncooperative Spirits campaign in-progress. Revised Edition formally entered in 2026 Two-Player Game Design Contest! Come on folks, take a look and help me get this game off the ground!
:d10-3::d10-4: Water always wins: Still ON HOLD.
:d10-3::d10-5: Sniper, take the shot!: No new progress.
:d10-3::d10-6: Abydos: Contest complete, game did not place... I'm disappointed, but I'm still committed to getting this game out there. Crunching the numbers and weighing my options, potentially coming to The Game Crafter in 2026...
:d10-3::d10-7: Nine Tails: Ready for pitching! And this is another game that might be a good fit for The Game Crafter...
:d10-3::d10-8: Puppy Pile: (formerly Dogpile). No new progress.
:d10-3::d10-9: Compound It!: No new progress.
:d10-4::d10-0: My Little Fish Tank: No new progress.
:d10-4::d10-1: Knick Knacks: Lovely Lamps : Sequel to Knick Knacks: Shaker Showdown. No new progress.
:d10-4::d10-2: Put a bow on it! No new progress.
:d10-4::d10-3: Gator Glory! No new progress.
:d10-4::d10-4: Eighteen Eggs: Contest complete, game did not place. *sigh*. Rain, Rain Mini Expansion and Player Aids available.
:d10-4::d10-5: Triskell (or maybe Triskellion): name not final: No new progress.
:d10-4::d10-6: Snow Squall: See Eight Elephants above.
:d10-4::d10-7: So, you want to be a mage...: No new progress.
:d10-4::d10-8: Cursed Cards: No new progress. Delayed until the 2026 contest. Again, I like this little game, but I need to concentrate my efforts elsewhere.
:d10-4::d10-9: Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice: My entry in Button Shy's 18-Card Cozy Contest! Finalists announced- PS&EN didn't make the cut. *sigh* No Button Shy for me... yet. Current rules, components, sell sheet, and pitch video still available while the real work begins. I'm going to yank all references to the Button Shy Bed & Breakfast, fine-tune the rules and graphics, re-do the logo, and then... this game is coming to The Game Crafter!
:d10-5::d10-0: Monk's Cat: The Book of [Pawprints]: The third game in the Cat Companion Card Game series, sequel to Composer's Cat and Librarian's Cat. Officially entrered in the 2026 In-Hand Game Design Contest! WIP up! Rough rules and components available! Made it! Currently re-working the art assets!
:d10-5::d10-1: War of the Wilds: No new progress.
:d10-5::d10-2: Unnamed Puzzle Game: multi-level campaign puzzle game in the vein of Abydos, Read the Runes, and Charge the Circle. Fuzzball-inspired. No new progress.
:d10-5::d10-3: Nine Lives: Open Owl is looking for solo game books and I'm going to throw my hat in the ring! Rough draft is in-progress.
:d10-5::d10-4: Who's ready for the owlidays?: Still working-ish. If I can get it playing smoothly, then it'll be my entry in the 2026 54-Card Contest...
:d10-5::d10-5: Scratch-off: NEW: luck-heavy lottery-themed matching game. No idea if this late night coughing fit idea will go anywhere, but worth playing with.


Professional Projects:
:d10-1: Explosion in the Laboratory/Fire in the Library (2nd edition): Weird Giraffe Games: Campaign wrapped! Campaign fulfilled! Campaign complete!
:d10-2: Dreams of Yesterday: Weird Giraffe Games: Campaign wrapped! Campaign fulfilled! Campaign complete!
:d10-3: In the Shadows: Resistance in France 1943 - 1944: GMT Games: Complete! I still haven't managed to get this back to my table. Gah! In the meantime... see A Solo Sunday Salute - First Impressions - In the Shadows for a preview.
:d10-4: Crumbs!: The Sandwich Filler Game: Minerva Tabletop Games: Initial feedback in. First impressions and some extra crumbs: Solo Sundays- First Impressions: Crumbs!: The Sandwich Filler Game and Solo Saturdays - Continuing to make Crumbs. More formal review posted: Rachel Reviews It- Crumbs!: The Sandwich Filler Game. Campaign funded! Campaign ongoing. Fingers-crossed that Minerva Tabletop Games comes through... it looks like this is finally in the process of fulfilling...
:d10-5: Crystallo expansions and miniature edition: Light Heart Games: Initial feedback in. Previews and additional adventures shared: A crystal cavern at the garage aka mini Crystallo is here!, First Impressions: Crystallo: Untold Fortune, Solo Saturdays- First Impressions: Crystallo: Den of Dragons, and Solo Stories- Playing with all of Crystallo. More formal review posted: Rachel Reviews It- Crystallo: Untold Fortune and Crystallo: Den of Dragons. Campaign funded! Campaign ongoing... AND there's GOOD NEWS: Crystallo lives!.
:d10-6: Lost Adventures: Belltower Games: First Impressions and continuing adventures shared: Two-Player Thursdays- First Impressions: Lost Adventures, Two-Player Tuesdays- Getting Lost with Mom, and Solo Stories - Lost Adventures. More formal review posted: Rachel Reviews It: Lost Adventures. Campaign wrapped! Campaign fulfilled. Campaign complete.
:d10-7: Quirky Bird Games: The zine campaign funded! That's a wrap! Congrats Beth and Angel! Fulfillment ongoing. Keep up the great work!
---------------------------------------

January:
This month went anything but to plan. This sinus infection seriously derailed a lot of my intended tasks for the month. That said, I did manage to get my GenCon Participation Grant application submitted AND I did get Composer's Cat submitted for the 2026 Cardboard Edison.

Nine Lives... probably isn't far enough along to submit to Open Owl for consideration... but, if I can get it a bit more cleaned up tomorrow, I'll submit it anyway. The worst they can say is no, and since I'm not actually sure it's what they're looking for, well, there's not much harm in submitting what I've got. If they like what they see, then I can always bump it up on my priority list. If they don't like it... well, then I can keep puttering along and maybe it'll show up on The Game Crafter.

I sent a follow-up email regarding the ongoing Bears love Bows pitch... and have heard nothing... I'd at least expected a "Nope" email... Still, I want a video done ASAP. And I've had a few more ideas too... This is one that I'm going to have to concentrate on pitching.

The Uncooperative Spirits campaign for [i[Unlucky Spirits, Revised Edition and Monk's Cat: The Book of [Pawprints] are next on my priority list. I've got writing, graphic work, and contest playtesting for both to get done by around Valentines Day.

Then, and only then, I can return to working towards getting both Charge the Circle AND Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice ready for publication via The Game Crafter. I'm still aiming for March 1st, but recognize that I might need to push this due to January's sick time.

On my to-do for the weekend:
Check in on all of my active WIPs to address feedback, check in on the 1PG card exchange, get caught up here on BGG, and maybe get Mythic Mondays back on track :whistle:

Game Over On borrowed time...

Happy Friday and happy playing!
-Rachel

Thank you for reading my blog. If you liked it; then please click the green thumb [microbadge=23724] at the top of the page. If you really liked it; then please subscribe.

A new episode has been added to the database: Blade Runner | Case File 01: Electric Dreams Ep. 06

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A new episode has been added to the database: Movie Mastery – Slappy and the Stinkers (1998)

by leroy43

A Swiftly Sinking Fortress

An iceberg on which sits a wealthy temple broke loose from the coast and is driftingin the ocean. A team of adventurers must journey to the floating tomb before it melts, taking its treasure with it.

The zealous Enokian priests and the savage followers of Ekajag are trapped together on a rapidly sinking Iceberg. Wyverns circle overhead, and horrible beasts roam the surface and underside.

The adventure features:
• A collection of ice themed monsters
• A secret power lying hidden beneath the caverns and tunnels in the ice
• Competing factions striving for control of the iceberg

Will you rescue or pillage? Slay or save?
What marvels may be found in the heart of the ice?
An adventure for 4-6 veteran characters of 37 points or higher.

The Fantasy Trip™ - from the back cover


The Fantasy Trip: Legacy Edition is one of my favourite systems, and publisher Gaming Ballistic LLC produced a number of adventures compatible with this ruleset. This adventure was published in 2019.

The hook is that an iceberg with obvious signs of habitation has been spotted in local waters. You can set this using your own setting, have made a place for it on Cidri, or include it as part of an ongoing campaign in the later published Isle of Sedra Sourcebook. It's also suitable as a one-shot.

This adventure is aimed at an experienced party in the 37+ point range. The module suggests 4-6 characters. A standard new TFT character is 32 points, so you definitely want seasoned players, or start with enhanced characters.

Minor spoilers ahead.

The adventuring party will first need to find transport to the iceberg. Once there, it will be obvious that they are in a race against time. The waters here are warmer than where it came from, and it's melting. Who knows when it will fall apart?

Adventures with a time limit are fun to run because there isn't a lot of room for dilly dallying. The players will need to be bolder than usual and the ability to leave, recover, and return will be severely constrained.

At a slim 16 pages, this adventure is tightly written. Given the apparent issue of looming disaster, it may appear to be a fairly straightforward dungeon labyrinth crawl, but once the party gets inside they will discover they have several options for pursuing their objectives, not least of which is getting out of this alive. The iceberg is inhabited, and the inhabitants may be open to alternatives to fighting.

The positive notes of this module are that the maps are clear, with the main iceberg and interiors done in the standard 1 hex = 1 megahex format, which makes the size and scale of the adventure clear. There are some new monsters included, always a nice touch especially for game masters that have veteran players that may know the stats of everything in the standard book by heart.

On the downside, there isn't much to quibble about, but I always like the room maps to be detailed and broken out. Here, the GM is left to convert the standard format scale into the megahexes. But all the pertinent information is there.

The interior art of the module is well done pencil style drawings, and there is also a set of counters you can photocopy and mount for use on your battle maps, assuming you don't have miniatures or a plethora of counters to sub in already. The cover art has a certain retro vibe that reminds me of the 1990 early digital effort.

Whether you choose to use this as a one shot, or make it part of an ongoing campaign, this adventure is well written and a lot of fun to run. A solid effort.

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