Stout Stoat

Stout Stoat

@stoutstoat.co.uk

International awards winning gamesbook publisher. https://www.stoutstoat.co.uk

2K followers258 following901 posts

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Stout Stoat
@stoutstoat.co.uk

Carved in Stone is officially out! In this comprehensive setting guide you'll be able to see, touch, taste, hear and smell your way through everything that modern-day scholars currently know of the enigmatic culture of the Picts, from the perspective of someone living in the late 7th Century.

Stout Stoat
@stoutstoat.co.uk

My first five ttrpgs in the order I played them: 1. AD&D 2E First Quest (too young and scared to play the tracks on the CD) 2. AD&D 1E (which I didn't know was different from 2E, so they got mixed a lot) 3. Fake D&D (dice rolls in head, I DM'd for the kids I babysat) 4. GURPS 5. D&D 5E

Paolo of Lost Pages 🧙‍♀️ witchy season@lostpages.co.uk

My 1st five ttrpgs in the order I played them: 1. Tunnels & Trolls (solo) 2. The Dark Eye 1e 3. Dungeons & Dragons Redbox 4. GURPS 3e 5. Advanced D&D 2E

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Stout Stoat
@stoutstoat.co.uk

OH I was mass-larping from 16 though. Man, having TWO level 1 spell cards PER ACTUAL DAY sucked. What do you mean I can only make a goblin do a burpie twice, and if they touch me I just instantly die. I'm not even that fast when running away. Now I gotta sit at the campfire with my hand in the air.

Stout Stoat
@stoutstoat.co.uk

My first five ttrpgs in the order I played them: 1. AD&D 2E First Quest (too young and scared to play the tracks on the CD) 2. AD&D 1E (which I didn't know was different from 2E, so they got mixed a lot) 3. Fake D&D (dice rolls in head, I DM'd for the kids I babysat) 4. GURPS 5. D&D 5E

Paolo of Lost Pages 🧙‍♀️ witchy season@lostpages.co.uk

My 1st five ttrpgs in the order I played them: 1. Tunnels & Trolls (solo) 2. The Dark Eye 1e 3. Dungeons & Dragons Redbox 4. GURPS 3e 5. Advanced D&D 2E

Stout Stoat
@stoutstoat.co.uk

Everything but 4 was heavily homebrewed (e.g. made up on the spot) because reading lots of rules is hard. I grew up in a house of nerds, with a sysadmin mum who did not trust a 12 year old with unrestricted access to the internet. I only really hit indie publishing spaces in my mid-late 20s

Stout Stoat reposted

Kieron Gillen
@kierongillen.bsky.social

My mind is just collapsing at the "we have far-right entryist groups offering themselves as middle-men to hook you up with professional hitmen, but our big priority is covering up pride pins" of the present BBC.

Leicester Gazette@leicestergazette.leicester.news

Two University of Leicester students speak out over ‘absurd’ and ‘Orwellian’ decision by the BBC and ITV Studios to edit out pride pins worn on University Challenge

leicester.newsBBC edits out pride pins on University Challenge in ‘Orwellian’ move* * * This story was published by **The Leicester Gazette** : a local, independent newspaper about Leicestershire. 1,000 people have already joined our community. Just use those buttons below to download our app and **sign up for free**. * * * Astrophysics student Samuel Carlier and History student Emmeline Hague-Wright were shocked to find that their LGBTQ+ pride pins had been edited out of their University Challenge appearance earlier this year. The episode, initially scheduled for BBC Two on 24 August, was delayed twice before airing on 7 September 2026. The pins showed the progressive LGBTQ+ pride flag, the bisexual pride flag and a rainbow feather. Speaking to the Leicester Gazette, Sam said: “Living in a liberal democracy and having the state broadcaster tell you ‘we’re editing how you look’, seems very Orwellian.” Sam described the choice to remove the pins before broadcast as “weird” and “absurd”. He said: “[Censoring] that seemed weird. If I had worn a rainbow shirt, would they have censored that? If the idea is to keep things impartial, where is that line in the sand?” A side by-side image of Sam wearing the pin and with it having been digitally removed. Photograph: supplied Sam contacted the BBC to try to understand why his pins had been edited out. He told the Gazette: “The BBC people said they’d ring me, and I chased them, they just said go to the complaints website and file a complaint there, that’s what I did.” Since then, Sam hasn’t had a response from the BBC as to why his pins were removed. After the episode had aired, Sam noted that his shirt ‘melted’ into itself occasionally, as a result of the editing. Photograph: supplied ## Students believe the decision was made following online transphobia Emmeline was also shocked when she found out that the feather pin she wore was due to be removed from the episode she was in. It was understood by Emmeline that there was online transphobia in response to previous episode of University Challenge, and she had been contacted by the BBC, anticipating support from the broadcaster. When the BBC contacted her, instead of an offer of support, she was told her pin was going to be removed. “At first it was mostly confusion,” she said. “I heard that they had received a lot of nastiness online from people and I thought they were going to call me to say ‘we have support services if needed,’ and that wasn't what I got at all.” Instead, Emmeline was notified that the episodes were going to be delayed. “It was out of left field, I was confused for a while,” she said. “This entire delay has been because of a feather and two badges on a teammate that were basically impossible [for viewers] to see.” Emmeline had expressed her frustrations with the repeated delays from the BBC, spanning from mid-July to early-September. She said: “We were announced on the website and then delayed again, and then announced on the website a second time, and delayed even further. Speaking about the removal, she said: “It takes a lot of time” she said. “Making it [the edit] look good would be even more expensive and time-consuming. It seems like drastically a lot of effort.” ## Join the conversation Our app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community. __Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__ ## Wider criticism on LGBTQ+ support The pins Sam wore during the episode. Photograph: supplied According to leading LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall UK, two in five LGBTQ+ students will hide their identities at university for fear of discrimination. Stonewall has reported that more than 36 per cent of trans students have received hostile conduct from university staff due to their gender identity. Reflecting on the digital removal of the pins, Sam spoke about how disheartening the choice was. He said: “There was maybe like a span of eight years where someone could be uncontroversially out in the open queer – now that’s gone again.” he said. The BBC has also been widely criticised for ‘an attack on the LGBTQ+ community’ by pulling its involvement with the popular show, RuPaul's Drag Race. The broadcaster pulled its involvement in September following “significant financial pressures” as the reason for axing their involvement. The criticism follows another recent controversial edit by the BBC. On its hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, a decision was made to edit out ‘Protect the Dolls’ from contestant Bethany Antonia’s T-shirt. It’s a slogan which has become widely used to support the rights of trans women. The BBC defended their decision, saying the changes were made to meet editorial guidelines. It comes as the LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges amid an increasingly less tolerant political climate. ## What the BBC had to say When we asked them about editing out the pins worn by Leicester’s University Challenge team, a BBC spokesperson said: “In line with our editorial guidelines, we advise that no badges, flags, and emblems or symbols are worn or visible during filming, along with clothing with obvious branding or slogans. If such items are not removed for any reason then a decision is made between the programme makers and the BBC regarding any edits to the programme.” The BBC said the delays to the episode were unrelated to the decision to edit out the pins. A spokesperson for ITV Studios said: “University Challenge is an entertainment quiz show and is made in accordance with the BBC Editorial Guidelines requirements for impartiality.” The University of Leicester refused to comment on the matter. * * * **Before you go…** We’ve recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we’re a small team on a shoestring budget. Now, we’re ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.** The app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It’s a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community. * * *

Stout Stoat reposted

Hannah Berry
@streakofpith.bsky.social

Want to do school visits as an author? Or are you a school who wants authors to come and talk to your kids? The @societyofauthors.bsky.social has a free resource, just for you! The School Visits Toolkit, brimming with good advice, can be downloaded right here: societyofauthors.org/resource/sch...

societyofauthors.orgSchool visits toolkit - The Society of AuthorsDeveloped by the SoA's Children's Writers and Illustrators Group (CWIG) to support and empower authors and schools to deliver impactful in-person school visits.
Stout Stoat
@stoutstoat.co.uk

One Breath Left is part of the bundle! Come explore some derelict wrecks while you struggle to ration your air and avoid being eaten by something monstrous or get sucked into a black hole or get decimated by a rogue AI or or or

RPG Trader@rpgtrader.com

Happy Solo September! 🌸 🌷 For the month of September, RPG Trader is running a solo bundle in partnership with @solorpglist.com . 134 Solo RPGs worth over $730 all for $20 - an absolute steal! Solo RPGs: your story, your rules, your adventure. 🐉 Check it out: rpg-trader.com/products/835...

rpg-trader.comSolo September Games Bundle on RPG TraderA collection of 134 games to play on your own. In partnership with Solo RPG List.

Stout Stoat reposted

ascalaphid
@ascalaphid.com

finally started working on the big dumb critter monk zine/art book/whatever project i've been threatening for over a year. pages still in progress but probably like 90% the way there

Stout Stoat
@stoutstoat.co.uk

Google's core useful features (like quick exchange rates, definitions, maps, etc) are breaking more and more as they try to shove AI in. It's wild that such a universally useful and convenient tool is being torn apart in the pursuit of another global recession.

Stout Stoat reposted

Small Press Scotland CIC
@smallpress.scot

Have you signed up to the Scottish Comics Roundtable yet? 💪

Small Press Scotland CIC@smallpress.scot

📢 Do you want to fix Scottish comics? Let's come up with some solutions! Join us on 9th September at 7pm for an online roundtable to discuss the future of Scotland's indie comic scene, in collaboration with CCIC and @chipcollective.bsky.social. More info in 🧵👇 RSVP: eventbrite.co.uk/e/scottish-c...

Stout Stoat reposted

Eryk
@peregrinecoast.press

Really had my eyes opened on Business Rates this year- you pay BR on the value of the property you’re renting out (like council tax). If your rateable value is <£12,500, you get a full small business exemption. Above £15k, you pay 0.432x of the RV a year. This is a nuts jump in monthly outgoings

The Green Party of England & Wales@greenparty.org.uk

Small businesses are feeling the squeeze whilst large banks are raking in obscene profits. It's time for windfall tax on big bank profits to end rip-off Britain.

Stout Stoat
@stoutstoat.co.uk

art direction is just redoing the "I'm assembling a team" montage in every heist film but with artists and slightly more paperwork

ABOOnchio👻 BOOlchetti👻@vor-bokor.bsky.social

My "art director" philosophy is "bring on board the friend who you know can do this shit better than you ever could"

Stout Stoat reposted

Peregrine Coast Press
@shop.peregrinecoast.press

Hail! We have re-enabled shipping to the EU and timed it with a review of how we handle shipping. We handle *a lot* of fulfilment for TTRPG crowdfunding projects so, in the interest of transparency, here is an abridged email we sent to creators we work with. peregrinecoast.press/blogs/news/t...

peregrinecoast.pressThe State of Shipping in 20262026 has been an absolute ride for us - both as a business and as a fulfilment and shipping provider for multiple independent producers. We sent an email out to the folks we work with to inform them o...
Stout Stoat
@stoutstoat.co.uk

GEN CON LAST DAY-ERS Get your Pict-curious Persons over to the IPR booth and get your mitts on delicious, delightful, insightful and reverently human Scottish history! The wingspan of this book rivals that of most feral sea gulls, and is also has more praise than the average feral sea gull, too!

Indie Press Revolution@ipr.bsky.social

5/18 MORE games, including Cloud Empress Starter Kit and Carved in Stone.

Stout Stoat reposted

Quinns
@itsquinns.bsky.social

For all of you guys running Stonetop campaigns, this is a GORGEOUS, illustrated history book that works wonderfully as a sourcebook for life and culture at the time

Stout Stoat@stoutstoat.co.uk

Carved in Stone is officially out! In this comprehensive setting guide you'll be able to see, touch, taste, hear and smell your way through everything that modern-day scholars currently know of the enigmatic culture of the Picts, from the perspective of someone living in the late 7th Century.

Stout Stoat reposted

ArchaeoPlays
@archaeoplays.bsky.social

Replying to @archaeoplays.bsky.social

...and we'll be at Govan Old next Saturday (18 July) for @govanstones.bsky.social's Viking Games and Archaeological Open Day! For those who like a challenge, one version of our scavenger hunt will be ENTIRELY in ogham - do you think you could solve it? (4/4) thegovanstones.org.uk/lecture-on-t...

thegovanstones.org.ukViking Games and Archaeological Open Day on Saturday 18th of July: an Alternative Celebration of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. – The Govan Stones

Stout Stoat reposted

David Stifter 🍵📄🦊
@davidstifter.bsky.social

It's the International Day of Ogham today. The (former) OG(H)AM project are happy to announce the recipients of this year's Certificate of Achievement for Ogham Excellence, the team behind the creation of "Carved in Stone. A Storyteller's Guide to Pictland". More: carvedinstone.scot #IntDayofOgham

Stout Stoat
@stoutstoat.co.uk

For every lovely repost or review, there are five more filled with personal grudges, death threats or motivated by bigoted hate. It's intimidating to create anything because the internet can feel like such a vitriolic cesspit. It's even harder to wade through it when without a team behind you.

Elizabeth Hargrave@elizhargrave.bsky.social

Every game I put out gets "1" ratings on BGG before it is for sale. For funsies I'm gonna track the 1s on WS Pocket in real time. What are these people up to, who feel so strongly about a game they haven't even played? Game details were announced yesterday, and the first "1" is up. LET'S GO! 🧵

Stout Stoat
@stoutstoat.co.uk

Last day! Grab some actually genuinely bonkers deals while you can! (I gotta stop getting older because 31% is actually quite large, as it turns out).

Stout Stoat@stoutstoat.co.uk

In the annual tradition, I'm putting on a sale for my birthday! Get 31% off of EVERYTHING in my store with the code "BIRTHDAY2026", running from today through to July 3rd :) www.stoutstoat.co.uk/discount/BIR...

Stout Stoat
@stoutstoat.co.uk

Now also with a 31% discount till July 3rd! £50 down to £34.50! Use code BIRTHDAY2026 at the checkout. Alternatively, in the spirit of Pictish economics I will consider barter offers or equivalent weight in hacksilver

Stout Stoat@stoutstoat.co.uk

Carved in Stone is officially out! In this comprehensive setting guide you'll be able to see, touch, taste, hear and smell your way through everything that modern-day scholars currently know of the enigmatic culture of the Picts, from the perspective of someone living in the late 7th Century.

Stout Stoat
@stoutstoat.co.uk

Check your bank transaction history, and keep your notifications on! In the space of ten minutes I had a flurry of random transactions come through, first for O2, then increasingly for more expensive charges to Fefizzessen (google says a Euro-Russian bank). Locked my Monzo card down immediately.

Stout Stoat
@stoutstoat.co.uk

I have no idea how they obtained my card details, especially as I haven't lost it (it's in front of me right now). I only use it for online transactions with websites / suppliers I trust. Gone and changed all of my passwords, and I haven't lost any cash. Definitely got my heart racing, though!

Stout Stoat reposted

Zack Polanski
@zackpolanski.bsky.social

Bills up. Wages too low. Record profits for Oil & Gas. 50 richest families with more wealth than 50% of population. Shit in our rivers. Pensioners jailed for protesting. Migrants thrown under the bus. Supporting a Genocide. That's Starmer's legacy.

Stout Stoat
@stoutstoat.co.uk

"AI is a force multiplier for the worst aspects of our industry, and that's where my worry is." Fantastic quotes in this article. Too long to easily quote in a bluesky post, but all sensitively presented.

Wargamer@wargamer.com

MCM, Dragonmeet, and DragonCon take a stance against AI, but the UK’s biggest board game con stays silent - despite pushback from attendees. www.wargamer.com/tabletop-ai-... #UKGE #BoardGames #TTRPG

wargamer.comTabletop creators push back against AI at UK Games Expo 2026MCM, Dragonmeet, and DragonCon take a stance against AI, but the UK's biggest board game con stays silent - despite pushback from attendees.

Stout Stoat reposted

Shakespeare and Company
@shakespeareandcompany.com

"My book came out, and they were talking about this false naive style of drawing. There was nothing false about the naivety of my style. I couldn't draw better. This is it." What a star Marjane was...

Shakespeare and Company@shakespeareandcompany.com

We're devastated to hear the news about Marjane Satrapi. She came to our festival in 2008 and was a pure force of nature. Wise, funny, engaging. This is a big loss. (Photo taken by Justin Westover during the festival)

Stout Stoat reposted

Jagal
@jagalart.bsky.social

My recent trip to Polish/Czech mountains reminded me of working on this series of illustrations for the Carved in Stone book 🖤

Stout Stoat reposted

Selkie Comic Awards
@selkieawards.org

🦭 New volunteering opportunity: Deputy Organiser 🦭 As we approach our third year, the Selkie Awards are looking to recruit one or more volunteer Deputy Organisers to contribute to our long-term success. If you're interested, please check out our website for more info: selkieawards.org/volunteer

Stout Stoat
@stoutstoat.co.uk

I've joined over 300 artists, arts organisations, academics, think tanks and campaigners who have signed this open letter. Add your name. Tell Scotland's political parties and cultural institutions to deliver a basic income for artists:

actionnetwork.orgAn open letter to Scotland’s political parties and cultural institutionsA new Scottish Parliament has been elected. Now is the moment. We must make sure a basic income for artists pilot is delivered in this Parliament. The SNP have been re-elected. They said if this hap...

Stout Stoat reposted

Quindrie Press
@quindriepress.com

The Quindrie Comic Fund is open for submissions until 31st July 5pm! UK-based comic creators can apply for up to £1000 to put towards a comic project or goal. Read more details on eligibilty and how to apply here: quindriepress.com/fund 🐉