Hello dear readers!
Another short issue of the Post this time. Just some quick Albo-related updates and news, as well as some new Patreon art and more. Let’s go!
Third Local TTRPG Meetup: First IRL Albo Session!
As you may remember me mentioning in a previous post, my wife and I host an in-person TTRPG meetup at our local co-operative. We bring a selection of one-shots in various game systems and (depending on how many people turn up) run games for them.
Last saturday was our third meetup, and our most successful turn-out yet! We had some regulars, as well as some of their friends and some completely new faces as well. There were so many people, in fact, that we had to run two tables. My wife was ran a Call of Cthulhu one-shot in English. Meanwhile, I seized the opportunity to give Albo a in-person trial run.
This was the first time I’d run a game not online in years, the first time I’d run Albo in person and the first time I’d run a game in Italian… ever! I had a couple of moments where I couldn’t remember how certain terms were translated, but thankfully my players were helpful and patient.
I ran a one-page sci-fi adventure I’d written a while back, taking a lot of inspiration from both Mothership and Red Dwarf. My 3 players were all kids (one 17 or 18, one probably around 13 and one no older than 10). The youngest two had only ever played D&D before, but they took to Albo like ducks to water. All three had a lot of fun creating their characters. Despite them being employees for a soulless interplanetary megacorp, they were all so memorable I had to draw them!
Pictured above, from left to right: Dr. Scotty, the hypocondriac human medic, who compulsively wears a chicken suit and carries a industrial-strength spray bottle of sanitiser. Professor Leopold, a genetically altered human xenobiologist with gills. Pizza, the android soldier who wants to befriend an alien and has a little drone assistant.
Fun fact: the android is called “Pizza” because they want to fit in with humans, and humans love pizza right?
Unlike the Call of Cthulhu table, we were’nt able to complete the adventure in the one session. Hopefully the trio will all be back in a month’s time to play again. Overall everyone at the meetup went away happy and excited to play again, which makes it a complete win in my book!
Alboverse News: Layout and Illustrations for Bugworld Begin!
After getting some excellent feedback and advice from some TTRPG friends and peers, I have begun work on the layout and art for the first Alboverse setting. Below are four example pages from “A Fruit-Moon For Bugworld”. They feature a revised look at the Star-Head Toddler-God (who dreams up the Alboverse), two NPCs and a look at Bugworld from space. I was still unsure about whether or not it should be in full colour, but I think shaded black & white still looks good. Plus, it would turn this setting zine into a colouring book, just like the ALBO rule book!
New On The Patreon: Animal Adventurers!
Last week I also published this month’s set of art assets for my Patreon.
This month I couldn’t think of a vignette for the Tip Jar Patrons. So, I changed things up, and have four animal adventurer character art assets available: Tip Jar gets them in black & white, while all higher tiers also get colour.
I was still very much inspired by my recent visit to an animal sanctuary, so the four adventurers are all based on farm animals. Check them out below!
Pictured above, from left to right: a pig priest, a goat pirate, a hen warrior and a rabbit mage.
Bonus Art: Happy Mother(ship)’s Day!
Pictured above: the mother’s day card I made for my mum this year.
Self-Promotion Sucks: A Humble Plea!
Before I end this post with some hopefully fun and light-hearted media links for you, a small vent.
I’m currently in a situation where I have to complete work on my Alboverse setting, but also promote it before publishing it. I also have to get a proof print copy before thinking of releasing it as a physical book.
I could also really do with some more commissions, as May is proving to be a bit of a lean month.
Which means I have to also promote my commissions, predominantly on the last scrap of social media I still lurk around on: bluesky. Which I try to not look at too often.
All of this is incredibly draining and stressful, so if you are reading this: please consider sharing it with a friend you think might be interested in my work?
It would really mean the world 🙂 Thank you.
Media Spotlight!
- Another great Cartoon Cartoon: Madison & Skyler created by Violaine Briat.
- 1 Hour of uninterrupted spring-themed fantasy music by June Westfield.
- Kids are fixing NYC in Minecraft: Battle of the Boroughs, an excellent and insightful documentary produced by Clayton Ashley and Simone de Rochefort.
- Did you know that wonderful TTRPG artist Skullboy is in a pop-punk band called TEENCAT? Check out their latest album, “Up All Night Forever” below!
That’s all for this issue!
As always, thank you so much for reading.
One last reminder that if you feel like supporting my work, you can buy something from my website or itchio, join my Patreon as a paying member, or commission me.
If none of the above are doable for you, please consider spreading the word about my work to your friends!
New subscribers to the Penflower Post get a special discount code to use in the shop, as a thank you.
Until next time,
– Penflower