Jay Ottersong
@jayottersong.bsky.social
I write about RPGs at https://jayottersong.substack.com and also wrote a book, Diary of a Grey Witch: Spring (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FRLWMZSC/ref=sr_1_1?) based on my playthrough of Once Upon a Thyme.
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Jay Ottersong
@jayottersong.bsky.social
· Nov 12
RPG Otter | Substack
RPG Otter is a substack about TTRPGs. Mainly solo and journaling RPGs, but other systems as well. Click to read RPG Otter, a Substack publication. Launched 3 months ago.
jayottersong.substack.com
Hello! I'm Jay Ottersong, writer and player of games. I write about RPGs, mainly solo stuff, at jayottersong.substack.com
Odyssey of the Giant playthrough and review. Accompany a colossus across a troubled realm, to the promised haven. This CRIT award winner and ENNIE nominated Solo game is a triumph, and delivered one of my most memorable playthroughs. #solo #journaling #rpg
Odyssey of the Giant playthrough and review
Athun the Stone Giant Turtle heads north; what does it seek?
jayottersong.substack.com
October 5, 2026 at 6:10 AM
Odyssey of the Giant playthrough and review. Accompany a colossus across a troubled realm, to the promised haven. This CRIT award winner and ENNIE nominated Solo game is a triumph, and delivered one of my most memorable playthroughs. #solo #journaling #rpg
One Page Monday #35: Blackwood Penthouse - Night Shift. Working the graveyard shift at a creepy hotel. What could go wrong? #onepagerpg #journaling #rpg #theshining
One Page Monday #35: Blackwood Penthouse - Night Shift
Creepy hotel rooms still need to be cleaned
jayottersong.substack.com
September 29, 2026 at 1:15 PM
One Page Monday #35: Blackwood Penthouse - Night Shift. Working the graveyard shift at a creepy hotel. What could go wrong? #onepagerpg #journaling #rpg #theshining
One Page Monday #34: Spell Cell. Escaping prison with memories of musty old tomes. #onepagerpg #solo #houseofleaves #rpg
One Page Monday #34: Spell Cell - Escaping from jail with House of Leaves
Escaping prison by manifesting spells from a book
jayottersong.substack.com
September 22, 2026 at 4:44 AM
One Page Monday #34: Spell Cell. Escaping prison with memories of musty old tomes. #onepagerpg #solo #houseofleaves #rpg
Solo September: A look at Tome of the Pyromancer by Kerova Archives, which uses Kal-Arath's Castle Grief system. Will Kellyan the Pyromancer meet a fiery end? #ttrpg #kalarath #solo #rpg
Solo September: Tome of the Pyromancer by Kerova Archives
Will Kellyan the Pyromancer meet a fiery end?
jayottersong.substack.com
September 19, 2026 at 8:07 AM
One Page Monday #33: A Familiar Skin. Parasite Bingo gets under your skin. #onepagerpg #onepagemonday #rpg #journaling #bingo #parasite
One Page Monday #33: A Familiar Skin
Playing Bingo with a Parasite
jayottersong.substack.com
September 17, 2026 at 3:16 AM
One Page Monday #33: A Familiar Skin. Parasite Bingo gets under your skin. #onepagerpg #onepagemonday #rpg #journaling #bingo #parasite
One Page Monday #32: The Cursed Wandering Library. A follow up to a journaling classic. Do things get darker? #journaling #rpg #ttrpg
One Page Monday #32: The Cursed Wandering Library
Your library is now cursed. Does it get more horrific?
jayottersong.substack.com
September 8, 2026 at 11:06 AM
One Page Monday #32: The Cursed Wandering Library. A follow up to a journaling classic. Do things get darker? #journaling #rpg #ttrpg
One Page Monday #31: Glyphcrawl is one of the most unique games I've come across. It's wordless, and I try to figure out how to play it. Don't think I've done a good job of it. Can you? #rpg #solo
One Page Monday #31: Glyphcrawl, or umm what rules?
A wordless RPG. Can you figure it out?
jayottersong.substack.com
August 24, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Reposted by Jay Ottersong
We're running some games of One Thousand Rats Devour a City in our discord! If you wanna come and try your hand at destroying a city and running a rat colony, why not jump in?
discord.com/invite/VEtVq...
discord.com/invite/VEtVq...
Join the The Ravens Nest Discord Server!
Check out the The Ravens Nest community on Discord - hang out with 592 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.
discord.com
August 18, 2026 at 12:42 AM
We're running some games of One Thousand Rats Devour a City in our discord! If you wanna come and try your hand at destroying a city and running a rat colony, why not jump in?
discord.com/invite/VEtVq...
discord.com/invite/VEtVq...
One Page RPG Jam 2026 just ended, with 600+ entries. I tried a few of them and here are my thoughts! (And yes, I'm not going to do hyperbole like SIX GAMES YOU HAVE TO TRY etc.) #onepagerpg #solo #rpg
One Page Monday #30: Six Games I tried from One Page RPG Jam 2026
A fragmented view of several fractured entries
jayottersong.substack.com
August 18, 2026 at 3:37 AM
One Page RPG Jam 2026 just ended, with 600+ entries. I tried a few of them and here are my thoughts! (And yes, I'm not going to do hyperbole like SIX GAMES YOU HAVE TO TRY etc.) #onepagerpg #solo #rpg
One Page Monday #29: Lagomorpha - A Solo Journaling Adventure. You've been transformed into a hare. Document your journey back to becoming human. A One Page RPG Jam entry for 2026. #onepagerpg #solo #journaling #rpg #bunny
jayottersong.substack.com/p/one-page-m...?
jayottersong.substack.com/p/one-page-m...?
One Page Monday #29: Lagomorpha - A Solo Journaling Adventure
Another medieval bunny adventure
jayottersong.substack.com
August 10, 2026 at 2:01 PM
One Page Monday #29: Lagomorpha - A Solo Journaling Adventure. You've been transformed into a hare. Document your journey back to becoming human. A One Page RPG Jam entry for 2026. #onepagerpg #solo #journaling #rpg #bunny
jayottersong.substack.com/p/one-page-m...?
jayottersong.substack.com/p/one-page-m...?
One Page Monday #28: 5-min-e. A 5 minute micro-RPG when you're swamped by deadlines #solo #ttrpg #microrpg
One Page Monday #28: 5-min-e
Got five minutes? Then play this micro-RPG and go on a quest!
open.substack.com
July 27, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Reposted by Jay Ottersong
Starting my bsky journey with a share on art of Russ Nicholson.
#fantasyart #fantasygaming
www.threads.com/@koireadswri...
#fantasyart #fantasygaming
www.threads.com/@koireadswri...
Koi Reads & Writes (@koireadswrites) on Threads
Fantasy art was a big part of my love of fantasy growing up. One of my favourite artist was Russ Nicholson. His black and white illustrations were filled with details, the kind that makes you linger o...
www.threads.com
July 21, 2026 at 3:43 AM
Starting my bsky journey with a share on art of Russ Nicholson.
#fantasyart #fantasygaming
www.threads.com/@koireadswri...
#fantasyart #fantasygaming
www.threads.com/@koireadswri...
One Page Monday #27: Polaroid by Myrmidont.
A solo sketch and stick solo journaling game from this year's One Page RPG Jam. Can Joe find out what's going on in his town? #onepagerpg #solo #journaling #1pRPGJam
A solo sketch and stick solo journaling game from this year's One Page RPG Jam. Can Joe find out what's going on in his town? #onepagerpg #solo #journaling #1pRPGJam
One Page Monday #27: P.O.L.A.R.O.I.D.
Joe goes looking for spooky stuff, but the spooky stuff finds him...
open.substack.com
July 20, 2026 at 1:52 PM
One Page Monday #27: Polaroid by Myrmidont.
A solo sketch and stick solo journaling game from this year's One Page RPG Jam. Can Joe find out what's going on in his town? #onepagerpg #solo #journaling #1pRPGJam
A solo sketch and stick solo journaling game from this year's One Page RPG Jam. Can Joe find out what's going on in his town? #onepagerpg #solo #journaling #1pRPGJam
Always satisfying when you have a physical product in hand. And do you know what an Ecdysiast is?
open.substack.com/pub/jayotter...? #bookmark #rpg
open.substack.com/pub/jayotter...? #bookmark #rpg
The Words You Carry: House of Leaves
Trying out my bookmark oracle
open.substack.com
July 19, 2026 at 1:33 AM
Always satisfying when you have a physical product in hand. And do you know what an Ecdysiast is?
open.substack.com/pub/jayotter...? #bookmark #rpg
open.substack.com/pub/jayotter...? #bookmark #rpg
One Page RPG Jam 2026 starts on Monday, so here's a look at my recommendations for the games I played from previous iterations of the Game Jam. #solo #ttrpg #onepagerpg
My favourite games from the One Page RPG Jam 2020-2025
Looking back on the games I've tried and seven games I'd recommend
open.substack.com
July 11, 2026 at 2:09 AM
One Page RPG Jam 2026 starts on Monday, so here's a look at my recommendations for the games I played from previous iterations of the Game Jam. #solo #ttrpg #onepagerpg
Reposted by Jay Ottersong
The council has spoken. The name has been chosen.
The dragon has been introduced...🐉
After much deliberation, we are delighted to reveal the official RPG Trader guardian dragon:
Reginald P. Goodfellow
(though you, his friends, may call him Reggie)
As for the "P", let your imaginations run wild!
The dragon has been introduced...🐉
After much deliberation, we are delighted to reveal the official RPG Trader guardian dragon:
Reginald P. Goodfellow
(though you, his friends, may call him Reggie)
As for the "P", let your imaginations run wild!
July 10, 2026 at 11:44 AM
The council has spoken. The name has been chosen.
The dragon has been introduced...🐉
After much deliberation, we are delighted to reveal the official RPG Trader guardian dragon:
Reginald P. Goodfellow
(though you, his friends, may call him Reggie)
As for the "P", let your imaginations run wild!
The dragon has been introduced...🐉
After much deliberation, we are delighted to reveal the official RPG Trader guardian dragon:
Reginald P. Goodfellow
(though you, his friends, may call him Reggie)
As for the "P", let your imaginations run wild!
One Page Monday #25: Styx. Can Eurydice escape Hades in this excellent one-page RPG from Ravensridge Press? #onepagerpg #rpg #hades #solorpg
One Page Monday #25: Styx
Eurydice decides to go it alone
jayottersong.substack.com
July 6, 2026 at 2:00 PM
One Page Monday #25: Styx. Can Eurydice escape Hades in this excellent one-page RPG from Ravensridge Press? #onepagerpg #rpg #hades #solorpg
Reposted by Jay Ottersong
⚠️ IMPORTANT BUSINESS! ⚠️
Our RPG Trader dragon mascot needs a name.
Hit us with your best (or most ridiculous) suggestions. 🐉👇
Props to the amazing @penflower-ink.bsky.social for this ^epic^ creation.
Our RPG Trader dragon mascot needs a name.
Hit us with your best (or most ridiculous) suggestions. 🐉👇
Props to the amazing @penflower-ink.bsky.social for this ^epic^ creation.
June 29, 2026 at 12:17 AM
⚠️ IMPORTANT BUSINESS! ⚠️
Our RPG Trader dragon mascot needs a name.
Hit us with your best (or most ridiculous) suggestions. 🐉👇
Props to the amazing @penflower-ink.bsky.social for this ^epic^ creation.
Our RPG Trader dragon mascot needs a name.
Hit us with your best (or most ridiculous) suggestions. 🐉👇
Props to the amazing @penflower-ink.bsky.social for this ^epic^ creation.
Reposted by Jay Ottersong
I LOVE a good game loop. I think they are ESSENTIAL for a fun solo ttrpg session! 😄
Here, I cover a couple tips:
1. You won't find the "perfect" system out there.
2. Take inspo from other games you enjoy!
3. YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN.
#solottrpg
youtu.be/a4hanDda01A?...
Here, I cover a couple tips:
1. You won't find the "perfect" system out there.
2. Take inspo from other games you enjoy!
3. YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN.
#solottrpg
youtu.be/a4hanDda01A?...
Stop Searching for the "Perfect" Solo TTRPG for a "Perfect" Session | How I build Game Loops!
YouTube video by SOLOIST VENTURE
youtu.be
June 25, 2026 at 10:17 PM
I LOVE a good game loop. I think they are ESSENTIAL for a fun solo ttrpg session! 😄
Here, I cover a couple tips:
1. You won't find the "perfect" system out there.
2. Take inspo from other games you enjoy!
3. YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN.
#solottrpg
youtu.be/a4hanDda01A?...
Here, I cover a couple tips:
1. You won't find the "perfect" system out there.
2. Take inspo from other games you enjoy!
3. YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN.
#solottrpg
youtu.be/a4hanDda01A?...
Reposted by Jay Ottersong
🎲 Initiative rolled. The bundle is LIVE!💥
This ^EPIC^ bundle is free to claim. If you find value in the bundle and want to support the creators behind it, you can contribute any amount.
Earnings shared equally amongst creators featured in the bundle.🫶
rpg-trader.com/products/102...
This ^EPIC^ bundle is free to claim. If you find value in the bundle and want to support the creators behind it, you can contribute any amount.
Earnings shared equally amongst creators featured in the bundle.🫶
rpg-trader.com/products/102...
Free RPG Day 2026 Bundle on RPG Trader
Over $1,000 worth of digital and print content from more than 250 creators all across the RPG Trader community.
rpg-trader.com
June 25, 2026 at 2:01 PM
🎲 Initiative rolled. The bundle is LIVE!💥
This ^EPIC^ bundle is free to claim. If you find value in the bundle and want to support the creators behind it, you can contribute any amount.
Earnings shared equally amongst creators featured in the bundle.🫶
rpg-trader.com/products/102...
This ^EPIC^ bundle is free to claim. If you find value in the bundle and want to support the creators behind it, you can contribute any amount.
Earnings shared equally amongst creators featured in the bundle.🫶
rpg-trader.com/products/102...
rpg-trader.com
June 26, 2026 at 6:20 AM
One Page Monday #23: Victory Garden. Grow plants and send them to war. Uh what? A One Page RPG that's surreal and poignant. #onepagerpg #solo #journaling
One Page Monday #23: Victory Garden
Raise plants. Send them to war. Say what?
jayottersong.substack.com
June 22, 2026 at 11:18 PM
One Page Monday #23: Victory Garden. Grow plants and send them to war. Uh what? A One Page RPG that's surreal and poignant. #onepagerpg #solo #journaling
Reposted by Jay Ottersong
I posted the first (early) alpha playtest for Ironsworn: Legacies (Ironsworn 2e-ish). Playtests are limited to the Discord for now, but you can join us:
discord.gg/8bRuZwK
The lovely (but preliminary) sketches shown below are by @joshmeehanart.bsky.social. The rest is a bit of a mess. Early days!
discord.gg/8bRuZwK
The lovely (but preliminary) sketches shown below are by @joshmeehanart.bsky.social. The rest is a bit of a mess. Early days!
May 31, 2026 at 7:18 PM
I posted the first (early) alpha playtest for Ironsworn: Legacies (Ironsworn 2e-ish). Playtests are limited to the Discord for now, but you can join us:
discord.gg/8bRuZwK
The lovely (but preliminary) sketches shown below are by @joshmeehanart.bsky.social. The rest is a bit of a mess. Early days!
discord.gg/8bRuZwK
The lovely (but preliminary) sketches shown below are by @joshmeehanart.bsky.social. The rest is a bit of a mess. Early days!
Playtesting the Alpha of Ironsworn Legacies, a followup to Ironsworn. Lots of stuff to like about the system, even at this early stage. #ironsworn #rpg #solo
Ironsworn Legacies Alpha Playtest: A priest, a healer, and a donkey travel to a village...
Back to the Ironlands and tempting fate
jayottersong.substack.com
June 9, 2026 at 2:40 AM
Playtesting the Alpha of Ironsworn Legacies, a followup to Ironsworn. Lots of stuff to like about the system, even at this early stage. #ironsworn #rpg #solo
Reposted by Jay Ottersong
The Quiet Year is now back in stock no matter where you live!
The Quiet Year is an award-winning map-making game about building community after the collapse. It comes in a little box with everything you need to play. And it's back in stock in the US!
store.buriedwithoutceremony.com/products/the...
The Quiet Year is an award-winning map-making game about building community after the collapse. It comes in a little box with everything you need to play. And it's back in stock in the US!
store.buriedwithoutceremony.com/products/the...
The Quiet Year (box set)
The Quiet Year is a map game. You define the struggles of a community living after the collapse of civilization, and attempt to build something good within their quiet year. Every decision and every a...
store.buriedwithoutceremony.com
January 26, 2026 at 6:43 PM
The Quiet Year is now back in stock no matter where you live!
The Quiet Year is an award-winning map-making game about building community after the collapse. It comes in a little box with everything you need to play. And it's back in stock in the US!
store.buriedwithoutceremony.com/products/the...
The Quiet Year is an award-winning map-making game about building community after the collapse. It comes in a little box with everything you need to play. And it's back in stock in the US!
store.buriedwithoutceremony.com/products/the...