1000-He’s a Banker

Inspired by Addio Monti by SimonePomata.


Joel shifted, thick trousers making a scraping sound on the brocade seat, trying to get a better look at the cluster of people in the street. His long sword, pushed back up against the wall, slid and tapped the window glass. Joel resisted the temptation to reach over and push it back out of sight. No one in the gathering outside was looking at him. They wouldn’t see it. Continue reading

1000- Ferra’s Tattoo

This piece was inspired by a sketch by Flycatcher263 on Deviantart. Unfortunately, it’s not up there anymore. You guys will just have to imagine it.


“Isn’t that like a symbol for how many people you’ve killed?” Naria asked, her confidence gaining strength as she went along and Ferra didn’t like, glare or something.

Ferra looked up from the rose she was gently untangling from itself. She looked back at it. “A pink and white rose?”
Continue reading

Worlds of Words

One of the premises of solipsism1, in many of the forms it takes, is that the only thing we can know for certain is our own minds. I don’t actually agree with this premise (I think). But one of the things that follows from the premise is that other people cannot be known, since we don’t live in their heads and the only thing we can know is our own heads. I’m not sure I agree with that, either. But it sure feels true sometimes. Continue reading

Intimacy and Games

When I GM I give my players a piece of my self. Usually an important piece, an egg I’ve been nurturing for some time. Sure, I’m used to sharing. But it still matters to me.

So when I GM, I need to know my players are playing along. If they aren’t into it, there’s no point. No one is going to have any fun. And I’m certainly not going to brace myself on my knees and smoke for them if they aren’t willing to talk in character to me. Continue reading