In 2026, I participated in a crowdfunding campaign, in collaboration with the TTRPG publishers Necrotic Gnome and Exalted Funeral. Along with the release of NGs Demonic Grimoire rules compendium for the Old School Essentials TTRPG, I wrote and illustrated my own adventure – Along with a long list of editors, proof readers, game devs and playtesters. The campaign successfully funded in the first 24hrs, and during the month long event, I surpassed all stretch goals. The physical adventure zines were fulfilled worldwide in January 2027.
Grab a copy of the pdf here: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/569545/the-master-of-puppets
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The ‘Toymaker’ has gone missing – and nobility across the realm are scrambling to get their hands on his highly sought-after dolls. Hauntingly beautiful, and scarily well made. His workshop is hidden, deep within the ‘Whispering Woods’. A dark and desolate forest, that locals warn all who dare enter, never return… that is, all except the Toymaker. To find his workshop, you must navigate the pitch black wood, haunted by imprisoned demons, zealous lumberjack wardens, cursed werewolves, possessed dolls, an entitled elf prince and a gaggle of other monstrous horrors. The balance of power in the woods is shifting – will the evils that lay trapped here be released unto the world?
“The Master Of Puppets” is a level 4-6 dark and whimsical forest crawl adventure designed for use with Old School Essentials. This 50 page A5 zine contains over 50 keyed locations, including 2 dungeons, and multiple factions vying for control over the forsaken woods.
FOREST CRAWL
The Whispering Woods is a demonic prison of perpetual darkness. The zine features 13 populated hexes, and tables for over 30 random encounters to challenge the PCs as they search for the Toymakers’ workshop.
DUNGEONS
A giant marble titan turned into a werewolves den, and the Toymakers workshop, filled with guardian constructs and vulnerable demons.
FACTIONS
Astarano – A demonic warlord of Nethria. He and his horde of fiends are trapped within the giant trees of the Whispering Woods.
The Troncarti – An ancient order of woodland wardens, now deteriorated and desperate.
The Toymaker – A conniving warlock, exploiting the trapped demons for realm wide domination.
The Possessed Dolls – Dominated demons, and pawns of the Toymaker.
The Elf Princeling – An eccentric and entitled individual whose personal ambitions have exacerbated the situation in the woods.
The Werewolves – cursed members of the Troncarti.
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Rated ‘The Best’ by Bryce Lynch – July 29, 2026 tenfootpole.org
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“Puppets is full of whimsical little adventure sites that never take themselves too seriously. And it still manages to maintain its own logic so players can come up with their own crazy schemes that make sense. This is gonna be a good time.”
