Media Review, 3rd Quarter 2025
Here are various media that I have read and reviewed in the last quarter. As the internet dies in an incomprehensible web of advertisements and AI slop, here are some gems that I have found and personally reviewed.
RPG Blogs
Designing an Afrocentric Megadungon by Alife Allah. The original D&D leans into wandering out in the wilderness, discovering monsters (who may just be other people), and looting the area. Think: Fantasy tropes combined with manifest destiny. The design principles in this article look at building dungeons and campaigns that push back against a game where you only kill creatures and take their stuff. Regardless of how you play the game, using these principles and ideas will create more interesting choices and deeper gameplay.
Mouth of Mormo Jumbo Edition by Arnold K. This is a beautiful document. A lot of good advice, ideas, and design elements. Arnold K is a fantastic writer and instructor. It is an inspiring document that makes me want to run D&D. You’ll note the crossover between Appendix C: Clerics Suck and the "communal health pools” from Designing an Afrocentric Megadungeon.
Music
I have never been on top of popular music, just some personal culture hangover from my teens. However, there are some good albums out there.
Doom Flamingo. 1980s Retro-Miami vibe with punchy lyrics. It's on heavy rotation in my playlist. I can listen to Peaches and Bobbi straight through. I also want one of their t-shirts.
Books
I have really fallen down on my reading game. But here are some attempts to climb back up.
The Black Tongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman. It has a D&D bent, but it was entertaining, well written, and does an excellent job world building. It’s just fun, honestly, and I can’t really say more without spoilers. I am looking forward to reading the prequal Daughter’s War.
Tarot for Change by Jessica Dore. I am dipping my toe into Tarot and this has been, by far, the best book that reads you to absolute filth. It is a little weak on the symbology, but it is great at “here are your considerations for today.” If you want something that goes over the symbology of each card, I would look at Spiritual Tarot by Echols, Mueller, and Thompson.
Moving Pictures
Alien Earth. It’s on Hulu and I have only seen the first two episodes, but there are legs here. Just the right mix of cyberpunk, terror, and sci-fi to give the series a fresh start. Also I can see the feudal-tech-trillionaire, in their arrogance, sending entities with the souls of kids into a gory mess. Time will tell if this series becomes the “Andor” for the Alien franchise.
K-pop Demon Hunters. Netflix. “Heels Nails Blade Mascara, Fit check for my Napalm Era.” You’ll know if you like this within the first 10 minutes. Give it a shot.
