K Lam (she/her)
@ladylakira.bsky.social
Queer, scientist, analogue game designer, amateur origami artist 🦫🍁🌈
Game design is folk art
https://ladylakira.itch.io/
Game design is folk art
https://ladylakira.itch.io/
I'm late to the party but this is what I've gleaned about PbtA moves while catching up on bsky that jives with my own experience:
Moves give three results: best, between, worst
6-, 7-9, and 10+ tells you what probability you have for best, between, worst
Moves give three results: best, between, worst
6-, 7-9, and 10+ tells you what probability you have for best, between, worst
October 6, 2026 at 5:08 PM
I'm late to the party but this is what I've gleaned about PbtA moves while catching up on bsky that jives with my own experience:
Moves give three results: best, between, worst
6-, 7-9, and 10+ tells you what probability you have for best, between, worst
Moves give three results: best, between, worst
6-, 7-9, and 10+ tells you what probability you have for best, between, worst
I am a few stories into Amal El-Mohtar's anthology Seasons of Glass and Iron and, gosh, these just beg to be read out loud so you can enjoy the feeling of the words in your mouth.
Definitely adding this to my collection
Definitely adding this to my collection
October 2, 2026 at 3:19 PM
I am a few stories into Amal El-Mohtar's anthology Seasons of Glass and Iron and, gosh, these just beg to be read out loud so you can enjoy the feeling of the words in your mouth.
Definitely adding this to my collection
Definitely adding this to my collection
You can learn a lot about design craft by reading and playing games that are not to your taste.
This is work in the same way as marketing your game is work, so there's def a cost benefit analysis here. It might be worth it to miss out on this, but you *are* missing out.
This is work in the same way as marketing your game is work, so there's def a cost benefit analysis here. It might be worth it to miss out on this, but you *are* missing out.
Hit me with your nuanced ttrpg take.
September 28, 2026 at 6:51 PM
You can learn a lot about design craft by reading and playing games that are not to your taste.
This is work in the same way as marketing your game is work, so there's def a cost benefit analysis here. It might be worth it to miss out on this, but you *are* missing out.
This is work in the same way as marketing your game is work, so there's def a cost benefit analysis here. It might be worth it to miss out on this, but you *are* missing out.
You ever get shoved in an MRI machine and think, "Gosh, what an interesting set of constraints for a game"?
Some people daydream when they're bored, I wonder if "unpredictable and uncontrolled start/end times" and "intermittent loud noises" could be spun into interesting mechanics
Some people daydream when they're bored, I wonder if "unpredictable and uncontrolled start/end times" and "intermittent loud noises" could be spun into interesting mechanics
September 28, 2026 at 1:47 PM
You ever get shoved in an MRI machine and think, "Gosh, what an interesting set of constraints for a game"?
Some people daydream when they're bored, I wonder if "unpredictable and uncontrolled start/end times" and "intermittent loud noises" could be spun into interesting mechanics
Some people daydream when they're bored, I wonder if "unpredictable and uncontrolled start/end times" and "intermittent loud noises" could be spun into interesting mechanics
A historical Canadian game about lumberjacks and masculinity. Bilingual and free shipping in Canada (the rarest of birds for us right now).
As usual, I will run this for any locals who back it. I will also offer up a double feature upon request for this and Lumberjills!
As usual, I will run this for any locals who back it. I will also offer up a double feature upon request for this and Lumberjills!
The kickstarter for Lonely Timbers is now live at www.kickstarter.com/projects/Jag... and I would love your support.
La campaigne sociofinancement pour Tire-toi une bûche est maintentant active. Merci pour soutenir ce projet franco-canadien et québecoise.
La campaigne sociofinancement pour Tire-toi une bûche est maintentant active. Merci pour soutenir ce projet franco-canadien et québecoise.
Lonely Timbers - Tire-toi une bûche
A TTRPG about french-canadian lumberjacks in the early 20th century. Un JDR des bûcherons québecoises du début du XXe siècle.
www.kickstarter.com
September 24, 2026 at 10:54 PM
A historical Canadian game about lumberjacks and masculinity. Bilingual and free shipping in Canada (the rarest of birds for us right now).
As usual, I will run this for any locals who back it. I will also offer up a double feature upon request for this and Lumberjills!
As usual, I will run this for any locals who back it. I will also offer up a double feature upon request for this and Lumberjills!
Friends,
I have run the first edition of this game and am super looking forward to the second. The extremely modest goal doesn't even pay for Ash's time, which is a travesty, but they really want to get it out into the world.
If you're local to me and back it, I will run it for you
I have run the first edition of this game and am super looking forward to the second. The extremely modest goal doesn't even pay for Ash's time, which is a travesty, but they really want to get it out into the world.
If you're local to me and back it, I will run it for you
Mars Watch is now LIVE on Kickstarter!
Re-skinned 2nd edition of The Watch - an award-winning TTRPG about women and NB people literally destroying patriarchy.
📚 Revised rules, incl. new playbook
🚀 New setting & art
✨ Future genders
🔪 Destroy space capitalism
Back now: www.kickstarter.com/...
Re-skinned 2nd edition of The Watch - an award-winning TTRPG about women and NB people literally destroying patriarchy.
📚 Revised rules, incl. new playbook
🚀 New setting & art
✨ Future genders
🔪 Destroy space capitalism
Back now: www.kickstarter.com/...
September 22, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Friends,
I have run the first edition of this game and am super looking forward to the second. The extremely modest goal doesn't even pay for Ash's time, which is a travesty, but they really want to get it out into the world.
If you're local to me and back it, I will run it for you
I have run the first edition of this game and am super looking forward to the second. The extremely modest goal doesn't even pay for Ash's time, which is a travesty, but they really want to get it out into the world.
If you're local to me and back it, I will run it for you
Went for a browse in the big box bookstore and did anyone tell me the page edges for the Hemlock & Silver trade are acid green? I almost bought it
I mean, obvs I'm going to buy it, but from the local bookstore later. And I put some holds at the library for some other books I found
I mean, obvs I'm going to buy it, but from the local bookstore later. And I put some holds at the library for some other books I found
September 19, 2026 at 7:29 PM
Went for a browse in the big box bookstore and did anyone tell me the page edges for the Hemlock & Silver trade are acid green? I almost bought it
I mean, obvs I'm going to buy it, but from the local bookstore later. And I put some holds at the library for some other books I found
I mean, obvs I'm going to buy it, but from the local bookstore later. And I put some holds at the library for some other books I found
Bring back being able to enjoy doing a thing even if you're bad at it or, heck, things you're "merely" mediocre at.
You can't spend all your time doing only the things you're good at. That's a lot of contentment to leave on the table.
You can't spend all your time doing only the things you're good at. That's a lot of contentment to leave on the table.
I'm damn good at some stuff, and also terrible at other stuff, and I should definitely do BOTH, regularly. The entire framing of "If you're bad at a thing, you OUGHT to outsource it" is repellent, anti-thinking, anti-growth garbage; it deserves only to be rejected with great force.
September 14, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Bring back being able to enjoy doing a thing even if you're bad at it or, heck, things you're "merely" mediocre at.
You can't spend all your time doing only the things you're good at. That's a lot of contentment to leave on the table.
You can't spend all your time doing only the things you're good at. That's a lot of contentment to leave on the table.
I am absolutely going to get myself some massaman curry and call it a pumpkin spice latte for my own amusement.
September 14, 2026 at 8:31 PM
I am absolutely going to get myself some massaman curry and call it a pumpkin spice latte for my own amusement.
Well, it's been a while but The Incandescent by Emily Tesh kept me up past my bedtime bc I needed to get to the end
A masterfully crafted story, strong recommend
A masterfully crafted story, strong recommend
September 9, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Well, it's been a while but The Incandescent by Emily Tesh kept me up past my bedtime bc I needed to get to the end
A masterfully crafted story, strong recommend
A masterfully crafted story, strong recommend
Needed a bookmark, pulled out some paper.
It's been a while since I folded anything but this was nice
It's been a while since I folded anything but this was nice
September 5, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Needed a bookmark, pulled out some paper.
It's been a while since I folded anything but this was nice
It's been a while since I folded anything but this was nice
I do most of my reading with ebooks because it's convenient but sometimes I start a book and know I'll need a copy for my shelves for a cozy reread on a rainy day.
Anyway, Hemlock and Silver by T Kingfisher is off to a solid start
Anyway, Hemlock and Silver by T Kingfisher is off to a solid start
September 3, 2026 at 6:31 PM
I do most of my reading with ebooks because it's convenient but sometimes I start a book and know I'll need a copy for my shelves for a cozy reread on a rainy day.
Anyway, Hemlock and Silver by T Kingfisher is off to a solid start
Anyway, Hemlock and Silver by T Kingfisher is off to a solid start
I think we have been adopted by our neighbours, who include a prolific self-taught quilter with some of the most gorgeous quilts I've ever seen and a retired geologist who watercolour paints and was a kid during WWII so his life story has eras
It's amazing
It's amazing
August 25, 2026 at 1:11 AM
I think we have been adopted by our neighbours, who include a prolific self-taught quilter with some of the most gorgeous quilts I've ever seen and a retired geologist who watercolour paints and was a kid during WWII so his life story has eras
It's amazing
It's amazing
Hey friends, what's the new hotness in solo games? I will have an opportunity to play some in company soonish and I have been out of the loop for ages.
Bonus points if materials needed (including print outs of instructions) are spare - I'll be away from home
Bonus points if materials needed (including print outs of instructions) are spare - I'll be away from home
August 20, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Hey friends, what's the new hotness in solo games? I will have an opportunity to play some in company soonish and I have been out of the loop for ages.
Bonus points if materials needed (including print outs of instructions) are spare - I'll be away from home
Bonus points if materials needed (including print outs of instructions) are spare - I'll be away from home
It's My Time is a film starring Michelle Yeoh about a woman in a nursing home who finds new purpose in life through learning how to speed solve a 3x3 cube and you betcha I'm gonna see this and bawl my eyes out
youtu.be/pgRXDPAni9E
youtu.be/pgRXDPAni9E
IT'S MY TIME Trailer | TIFF 2026
YouTube video by TIFF
youtu.be
August 12, 2026 at 7:25 PM
It's My Time is a film starring Michelle Yeoh about a woman in a nursing home who finds new purpose in life through learning how to speed solve a 3x3 cube and you betcha I'm gonna see this and bawl my eyes out
youtu.be/pgRXDPAni9E
youtu.be/pgRXDPAni9E
Wife: ok, now that we have a new lawn mower, I have a very important question for you
Me: ok...
Wife: What are we naming it?
Me: Moo Moo McChew
Wife: <hysterics> WHAT
Me: It...it eats grass....I PANICKED OK??
Wife: no, that's it's name, I love you forever
Me: ok...
Wife: What are we naming it?
Me: Moo Moo McChew
Wife: <hysterics> WHAT
Me: It...it eats grass....I PANICKED OK??
Wife: no, that's it's name, I love you forever
August 3, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Wife: ok, now that we have a new lawn mower, I have a very important question for you
Me: ok...
Wife: What are we naming it?
Me: Moo Moo McChew
Wife: <hysterics> WHAT
Me: It...it eats grass....I PANICKED OK??
Wife: no, that's it's name, I love you forever
Me: ok...
Wife: What are we naming it?
Me: Moo Moo McChew
Wife: <hysterics> WHAT
Me: It...it eats grass....I PANICKED OK??
Wife: no, that's it's name, I love you forever
Boy, I sure did tie up most of my money into a home purchase and now have a strict budget for the next year to ensure we can set up things properly without going into more debt.
Wait, what's on the docket for crowdfunding right now and in the coming months?
Sunova
Wait, what's on the docket for crowdfunding right now and in the coming months?
Sunova
July 15, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Boy, I sure did tie up most of my money into a home purchase and now have a strict budget for the next year to ensure we can set up things properly without going into more debt.
Wait, what's on the docket for crowdfunding right now and in the coming months?
Sunova
Wait, what's on the docket for crowdfunding right now and in the coming months?
Sunova
Canada just opened its first cancer clinic dedicated to trans and non-binary folk!
Broadly speaking, cancer is a disease of time - the longer you live, the more likely you'll get it. We want trans/enby elders.
Having a gender affirming clinic is so important.
www.oncodiversite.ca/trans-clinic...
Broadly speaking, cancer is a disease of time - the longer you live, the more likely you'll get it. We want trans/enby elders.
Having a gender affirming clinic is so important.
www.oncodiversite.ca/trans-clinic...
Trans Clinic — OncoDiversity
www.oncodiversite.ca
June 29, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Canada just opened its first cancer clinic dedicated to trans and non-binary folk!
Broadly speaking, cancer is a disease of time - the longer you live, the more likely you'll get it. We want trans/enby elders.
Having a gender affirming clinic is so important.
www.oncodiversite.ca/trans-clinic...
Broadly speaking, cancer is a disease of time - the longer you live, the more likely you'll get it. We want trans/enby elders.
Having a gender affirming clinic is so important.
www.oncodiversite.ca/trans-clinic...
Me: ok, I really gotta sit down and sketch out some relationship maps
Brain: or you could watch Narco Mennonites for research purposes
Me: That's an interesting left field you've decided to hang out in. But also....
Brain: or you could watch Narco Mennonites for research purposes
Me: That's an interesting left field you've decided to hang out in. But also....
June 25, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Me: ok, I really gotta sit down and sketch out some relationship maps
Brain: or you could watch Narco Mennonites for research purposes
Me: That's an interesting left field you've decided to hang out in. But also....
Brain: or you could watch Narco Mennonites for research purposes
Me: That's an interesting left field you've decided to hang out in. But also....
Reposted by K Lam (she/her)
Happy #pride all! If you're following me with any sort of audience in the #lgbtqia, #queer, #therian, or #ttrpgcommunity I would be so thankful if you helped spread the word about www.backerkit.com/c/projects/w...
This #ttrpg was made specifically for your stories and desperately needs exposure!
This #ttrpg was made specifically for your stories and desperately needs exposure!
Gallerie TTRPG: Queer Stories of Beauty, Horror, and Hope
A queer-focused TTRPG that employs art and dream elements to paint narratives about finding yourself and fighting your demons. Community, cooperation, rampant self-love, nightmarish enemies, and the b...
www.backerkit.com
June 6, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Happy #pride all! If you're following me with any sort of audience in the #lgbtqia, #queer, #therian, or #ttrpgcommunity I would be so thankful if you helped spread the word about www.backerkit.com/c/projects/w...
This #ttrpg was made specifically for your stories and desperately needs exposure!
This #ttrpg was made specifically for your stories and desperately needs exposure!
Me: I will wait to watch the Nintendo Direct with my wife tomorrow because our day is super full and we like watching it together
Me, opening up any social media: wait there's a new WHAT?!
You get bragging points if you guess which game(s) I'm referring to
Me, opening up any social media: wait there's a new WHAT?!
You get bragging points if you guess which game(s) I'm referring to
June 9, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Me: I will wait to watch the Nintendo Direct with my wife tomorrow because our day is super full and we like watching it together
Me, opening up any social media: wait there's a new WHAT?!
You get bragging points if you guess which game(s) I'm referring to
Me, opening up any social media: wait there's a new WHAT?!
You get bragging points if you guess which game(s) I'm referring to
I hadn't intended on being on RPG Trader quite so early, but it's a good opportunity to port over a game Levi and I wrote ages ago.
It's silly and fun and you get some lore you can use for a longer campaign at the end of it!
It's silly and fun and you get some lore you can use for a longer campaign at the end of it!
Just up on RPG Trader, a game I made with @ladylakira.bsky.social that never went to Itch (because it doesn't do collabs).
It's, uh, a group adventure-having game that also generates an adventure, that you can easily play online.
It's, uh, a group adventure-having game that also generates an adventure, that you can easily play online.
Gazetteer on RPG Trader
A Gygaxian Storygame
rpg-trader.com
June 9, 2026 at 1:49 PM
I hadn't intended on being on RPG Trader quite so early, but it's a good opportunity to port over a game Levi and I wrote ages ago.
It's silly and fun and you get some lore you can use for a longer campaign at the end of it!
It's silly and fun and you get some lore you can use for a longer campaign at the end of it!
My guts says AP shows are marketing for entertainer/film/theatre careers and the game publishing side is a hobby that those folks do as a side hustle which is sustained by the day job.
So, like, business as usual but flashier and vulnerable on two fronts to AI slop
Interested to see how it goes
So, like, business as usual but flashier and vulnerable on two fronts to AI slop
Interested to see how it goes
Okay, round 2 of "I betcha Game Publishing and AP Shows are gonna get married", a thread.
...
I betcha Game Publishing and AP Shows are gonna get married. And in most cases, it's going to be big shows with small publishing sides that will be the most business-like.
Here's my reasons for WHY!
1/
...
I betcha Game Publishing and AP Shows are gonna get married. And in most cases, it's going to be big shows with small publishing sides that will be the most business-like.
Here's my reasons for WHY!
1/
June 8, 2026 at 7:01 PM
My guts says AP shows are marketing for entertainer/film/theatre careers and the game publishing side is a hobby that those folks do as a side hustle which is sustained by the day job.
So, like, business as usual but flashier and vulnerable on two fronts to AI slop
Interested to see how it goes
So, like, business as usual but flashier and vulnerable on two fronts to AI slop
Interested to see how it goes
Am I going to figure out how to offer a double feature of this an Lumberjills?
Yes, duh
Also, delighted for it to be bilingual. I can limp along in French and this will be good practice
Yes, duh
Also, delighted for it to be bilingual. I can limp along in French and this will be good practice
I am preparing for the kickstarter campaign of Lonely Timbers - Tire-toi une bûche. I hope that there is an audience for a bilingual game of french-canadian history & culture.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/Jag...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/Jag...
Coming soon: Lonely Timbers - Tire-toi une bûche
A TTRPG about french-canadian lumberjacks in the early 20th century. Un JDR des bûcherons québecoises du début du XXe siècle.
www.kickstarter.com
June 8, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Am I going to figure out how to offer a double feature of this an Lumberjills?
Yes, duh
Also, delighted for it to be bilingual. I can limp along in French and this will be good practice
Yes, duh
Also, delighted for it to be bilingual. I can limp along in French and this will be good practice
Hot take, maybe? TTRPG books are two things simultaneously: a manual and a collector's item.
Since game design is a folk art, you can daydream your way to a manual (this is not bad - it's joyful). The rpg industry is selling you a luxury collector's item.
1/
Since game design is a folk art, you can daydream your way to a manual (this is not bad - it's joyful). The rpg industry is selling you a luxury collector's item.
1/
Tabletop RPG books are not overpriced.
They are specialty technical creative writing social interaction manuals.
At double the current prices, they would not be overpriced.
This is why most TTRPG creators leave the industry.
Along with constant fan harassment.
#RealGameIndustry
They are specialty technical creative writing social interaction manuals.
At double the current prices, they would not be overpriced.
This is why most TTRPG creators leave the industry.
Along with constant fan harassment.
#RealGameIndustry
June 7, 2026 at 1:53 PM
Hot take, maybe? TTRPG books are two things simultaneously: a manual and a collector's item.
Since game design is a folk art, you can daydream your way to a manual (this is not bad - it's joyful). The rpg industry is selling you a luxury collector's item.
1/
Since game design is a folk art, you can daydream your way to a manual (this is not bad - it's joyful). The rpg industry is selling you a luxury collector's item.
1/