Bardic Update 1: August 2023
This may sound wild, but the Brazen Bard is a person, not an AI, unless you subscribe to the theory that the universe is a simulation, and in that case, it probably doesn't matter. As an actual human person and not a program trying to convince you that I am a person, I want to update you on what I am working on and what to expect for August. The plan is to bring updates once a month, and the usual heart-hitting Sunday articles will resume next week.
Site Schedule For August 2023
"Revivify only heals the physical trauma..."-The Fighter That Just Died
While I am not very good at scheduling things out, this is what you can expect from this month:
Miniature Mondays:
Feywild Monstrosities, Blinkdogs VS. Displacer Beast
Muricia, The First Sovereign
Corvus Merrikson, Undying Paladin Of Chaos
Delilah, Druid Of 1,000 Shapes
Additional Changes To The Format, Including Images Of Painting Process
Tabletop Tips:
Making a Memorable Battle Map, 2D and 3D
Tailoring The Game, How To Balance Your Encounters
The Miracle Of Magic, A Guide To Crafting Custom Spells
Brazen Blog:
Why TTRPGs Appeal To Queer Identities
What Makes Running One-Shots With Strangers So Appealing, And Terrifying
(These articles are subject to change, and the titles are not final)
What Am I Working On, Outside The Site
"Damnit, James, I am a writer, not a miracle worker." -The Wizard
This month I am finishing up the outline for my Greek Mythology inspired novel, which I will talk more about in upcoming Bardic Updates. I plan on starting the drafting process later this month with the intention of having my draft finished before the end of November. I've already written two full-length novels, neither of which will ever see the light of day, and I have an editor who lives in my house, or maybe I live in hers... Thus I am confident in the process and timelines, so long as I stick with my current writing hours. Anyways, expect some sample chapters to come out sometime before the end of the year.
Professionally, I write blogs for various companies unrelated to D&D and have a ghostwriting contract. Don't expect those ever to be linked to on this site, but know that you may be reading my words without even knowing it.
Dungeon Mastering
"Remember to support your local, independent businesses." - The Shroom Druid Salesperson.
For anyone in the Salt Lake City area, I will be DMing as a volunteer at the Legendarium Book Store, and you can sign up for free on their website. Outside of that, I am getting a break from being my group's forever DM, as two of my long-time players will be running a pair of short games that I actually get to play in! For anyone interested, I will be a Reborn Valor Bard in one and a Goblin Spore Druid in the other. I am very excited about these, but I am most excited to start running a new long-term adventure with my friends as we delve into a life of piracy on the high seas of the Feywild. Furthermore, I intend to eventually post my one-shots and custom enemy stat blocks on the site sometime in the future, although I have not decided on when or how to implement that yet.
Personal Life
"I have an edgy backstory." -The Rogue
Don't worry about my personal life, things are going well, and I have a great environment with a spectacular support system that encourages me daily. Although I am currently:
Listening to Crooked Kingdom, by Leigh Bardugo
Reading Nightlord's: The Omnibus, by Aaron Dembski-Bowden
Watching the new season of Jujutsu Kaisen, By Mangaka Gege Akutami and animated by Studio MAPPA
Listening to a whole lot of metal, most notably the band Trivium
That's it for this first Bardic Update! Congrats on making it all the way to the end, so here's a poem as a thank you for your dedication.
"What is it?
That broke my heart
Who was it?
That tore me apart
When did it?
Inspire my art
Where could it?
Find its start
How does it?
Feel to be nothing more than a spare part"
-The Bard
