Matt | Krasiph 🔜 GenCon

@krasiph.bsky.social

1426 Followers 704 Following

(they/him/hers) Ex-software engineer, now full time TTRPG designer, actor, & artist. You can find everything I'm building at... https://infinite-citadel.com/ Like what I make and want to support me? https://www.patreon.com/cw/InfiniteCitadel

A photo of the Daggerheart core set, still shrink wrapped, standing on a table. A painting of a mountain waterfall is on the wall in the background, and the Art & Arcana book is lying on its back on the same table.

The Beckoning Dream

A zoomed in screenshot of the D&D PHB. "Everything a player needs to create heroic characters for the world's greatest roleplaying game."

The cover of Mörk Sol which has the title rendered in ink-smudge and industrial types. Three space ships burn fast towards a space station tunnel. Made by Conlin Durbin, Matt Best, and Andrew Beauman. Compatible with Mörk Borg.

Five men in fashionable semi-matching pink outfits stand to the right. One holds a microphone and shout-sings "PLAY GAMES WITH US!", which is on the image in bubble-y blue-and-pink font. A cloud beneath says the same in Korean. A host stands agape to the left while three women look down from above, trying to hide in the shadows of the sound stage.

A glowing skeleton man in a black jacket stands behind a computer console and says, "Do you have the slightest idea how little that narrows it down?"

A guided play surface diagram for The Beckoning Dream. A window on the right is labeled "Future". Two lines at right angles are in a circle in the middle, and an hourglass with sand in the top is at the top of the window. Words on both sides say "Face Down. Things that will be." Beneath that window are two arcs, one facing up labeled "Help", the other down labeled "Hinder". They are connected by glyph lines which lead to a larger broken circle.
In the middle, at the bottom of the area, is a diamond symbol labeled "Present". An eye in the diamond is labeled "Awareness". Further left are several lines that converge into a circle that contains a symbol for Oneirogen. Within the lines are instructions for how a player ends their turn. Above that area is a window similar to the one on the right, but this one is labeled "Past" and has four right angles arranged like a cross. An hourglass at the top has it's sand drained to the bottom, and text on either side reads "Face Up. Things that have been." Flames are along the top, labeled "Pyre", "A communal pile where lost things BURN."

A car completely covered with weed waifu anime stickers. Text says, "REPORT: Cars with anime stickers are 65% less likely to be pulled over because officers "don't want to start that conversation"."

Screen shot of a reddit post that was previously up and now says "Post is awaiting moderator approval". Post is titled "Fomoria kickstarter (gushing about a game)".

A screenshot of user Monstrar traduccion saying, "I want a manga that's a dark fantasy adventure but it's not depressing, like I want it to take place in a grim and decayed world with ancient ruins and monsters but I still want the MCs to be cheery and having a good time on a adventure"

A sample spread from The Beckoning Dream. Pieces of the lore are called out, but there are two important parts for this conversation.

First, the continued clarification of the types of stories the game wants to tell in the margin of page 8:
2 - “Stories [It] Wants You To Tell”, Continued…
Broadly speaking, this is a story about Dreamers exploring the Dreamlands, leading double lives where the peace of their night’s rest is replaced by a quest. The Dream beckons, not just in what it can offer an individual through exploration of our inner worlds, but to gain their aid in shaping the destinies of every living mind.
This is where the roles of Dreamers become clear: to combat Nightmares and keep their influence at bay. If one were to claim the empty Throne, or corrupt any of the Major Arcana, it would spell disaster for both worlds. One need not look far to see what happens when fear is in charge.
To be successful, Dreamers will need to use teamwork and wit to oppose Nightmares both personal and universal. Mechanically that means playing the right cards at the right times, recognizing that a minor setback can set up a major victory.

And Second, a modern annotation scribbled out by the fourth voice.
Scribbled text: What would happen if a dreamer sat this throne? Could one’s own grasp of the immaterial reach a state that would allow them to seize control of the Dreamlands?
Handwritten Text: Thoughts of crowns and high tables are poison. Do not desecrate yourself!

A sample spread from The Beckoning Dream. The first page contains a poem wherein the "original author" describes the experience and inspiration of the game. There is a marginalia note about this poem by an "older commentator" (i.e. older in time relative to us) regarding this poem's creation being the result of sleep-writing. It frames the book as a conversation between multiple perspectives that is heavily based on the fragmented, powerful thought patterns of dreams.

The second page begins the TTRPG's text proper, outlining what this "thing" is. First off, it is A Game, and the section describes the expectations of what a tabletop roleplaying game is. The margin, written in a more modern annotator's voice/font, lists various media and game inspirations for the book.

A page from The Beckoning Dream that explains the rules for Interpretation. Part of the text along with a related margin note have been called out in green marker.
Emphasized Primary Text: When you Interpret a card, choose a number of Interpretations based on the card’s Score as follows: Triumphs grant 3 choices; Clashes & Successes grant 2 choices; Setbacks grant only 1 choice; Countered cards grant nothing.
Margin Note Text: Gaining more choices, and more powerful options to choose from, is heavily inspired by Powered by the Apocalypse systems. The intention is every Interpretation moves the narrative forward. It should never be the case that “nothing happens”.

Picture of the Zendikar vs Eldrazi Duel Deck product listing.

A screenshot of a WIP text of The Beckoning Dream. The text reads:
Futureless Foes
Some Foes are born of simpler ideas. Identities so ubiquitous to our reality that it is easy to dismiss fully living, breathing people as being *just another one of **"them"***. Hold fast to your sonder, lest you inflict such beings upon your consciousness, whether waking or dreaming.

A sample spread from The Beckoning Dream. The right page is a chapter title "Dreaming" with surreal artwork in a tarot card frame. The left page has primary text explaining tarot spreads with additional information in the margin.

The model cyberpunk ally stands behind several miniature beer cans, bottles, food bowls, trash cans and bags, a cat, and a milk crate.

Sample page from The Beckoning Dream, showing primary text and marginalia text that expounds on the rules.

A passage from the article has a sentence highlighted (marked in brackets[]) and several words red-underlined for emphasis (marked between asterisks **).
"As I alluded to earlier, there’s a reason humans don’t write most books like RPGs. When you intend your audience to read the words, you need to trust them to actually do so. [Bulleted lists and emphasized text may draw attention and look glamorous to those *who only skim*], but for the genuine reader, they prove more difficult. RPG books exist as books specifically because the written word allows imaginary spaces and situations, the stuff of which RPG play is made, to be conveyed in ways that are unique to the medium of text. The character of writing should be embraced as humans have written for millennia: in sentences and paragraphs, one after the other."

A carpet depicting a small town in vibrant colors.

A tiny model beer can is held close to the camera by a pair of tweezers. The label says "NeoBliss". Several other unlabeled beer cans are out of focus on the table in the background.

A tiny model bar stool and street menu standing on a folding table with other model kit supplies out of focus on the background. A pair of tweezers lays in front to give a sense of scale. The sign says "Neo Ramen Specials".

One wall of the Neo Ramen mini alley book nook set. Cyberpunk doors, signs, wires, and air conditioning units are glued together to make a three dimensional art piece.

Matt's original sketch for The Beckoning Dream's cover art with some notes regarding what is pictured and what should be added.

A game of Mörk Sol at OwlCon. Binders, dice, and other gaming supplies, including copies of Mörk Sol Frame:ZERO and a 3D model of the Synthetic Dawn, an asteroid mining space station, cover the table.

Matt's POV at a table during Owl Con. A notebook and pen are on the table alongside a coptic stitch copy of The Beckoning Dream. There is also a large binder and a bag full of tarot cards and merch. Other con-goers are in the background enjoying Starfinder.

Event listing. Sat 3pm to 7pm, The Beckoning Dream. Sat 8pm to 12am, The Beckoning Dream. Sun 10am to 2pm, A Ray of Light from Synthetic Dawn (Mörk Sol). Sun 3pm to 7pm, A Ray of Light from Synthetic Dawn (Mörk Sol).

All of the signatures for The Beckoning Dream aligned and folded, ready to be pressed flat.

A hand holds a single booklet page of The Beckoning Dream, about to be folded into a folio and added to a stack of signatures on the left. Unfolded pages are on the right. Desk litter, including a keyboard and tarot cards, are in the background.

Screenshot of the original WotC provided player map of White Plume Mountain, which shows a slime trap and a pit trap in two of the hallways that are supposed to be invisible beneath water.

A screenshot of a WIP text of The Beckoning Dream. The text reads:
Futureless Foes
Some Foes are born of simpler ideas. Identities so ubiquitous to our reality that it is easy to dismiss fully living, breathing people as being *just another one of **"them"***. Hold fast to your sonder, lest you inflict such beings upon your consciousness, whether waking or dreaming.

A screenshot of a WIP text of The Beckoning Dream. The text reads:
Futureless Foes
Some Foes are born of simpler ideas. Identities so ubiquitous to our reality that it is easy to dismiss fully living, breathing people as being *just another one of **"them"***. Hold fast to your sonder, lest you inflict such beings upon your consciousness, whether waking or dreaming.

A screenshot of layout in progress for The Beckoning Dream. Three tarot card frames with text are laid out left to right beneath an introductory paragraph. Each tarot card represents a set of options, described at the top of the card where a card's value would normally be listed. Text in the card body describes the affect, while the option's title is in a box at the bottom of the card.

A close-up screencapture of a page from The Beckoning Dream, with older serif type in the main body text, and clarifying marginalia text in a modern sans-serif type.
Suits (3 superscript)
One of Swords, Cups, Wands, or Pentacles. This is the disposition or approach of a card. Just like each Major Arcana ties to a primeval touchstone of human experience, so too do the suits each correspond to a prevailing attitude of existence.
In practice, whenever you use a card to enact your Dreamer’s will upon the dream, you also describe a narrative approach that fits that card’s suit. This doesn’t meant that your Dreamer can only swing a sword if you play a Swords card. The suit describes how you are swinging that sword; or arguing a point, crafting an object, or any other action.

Margin Text: 3 - While the usual meanings of the suits have inspired this game’s interpretations,this is where the text deviates furthest from traditional tarot.
Again, the purpose of this Lesson is not to explain tarot precisely. However it might be helpful and provide further inspiration to know the typical meanings of the four suits.
Swords: Logic & Intellect
Cups: Emotions & Spirituality
Wands: Creativity & Willpower
Pentacles: Resources & Wealth

The text continues off screen.

A single page (46) of The Beckoning Dream. Primary text in an older style, serif font is on the left, with marginalia text in a sans-serif on the right. It reads...
Even in the Fading Lands, dreams do not acquiesce to their occupants. Strife & struggle are teachers as much as rest & reflection are. You will find both as you undertake these questing dreams.
Conflicts are educators of the first form. When something opposes the will of the Dreamers, it will occupy space, manifest discontent, and force the Dreamers to oppose it in kind. These moments are represented by the Conflict rituals: Duels; Efforts; and Spikes.
Discoveries are educators of the second form. These are moments where the myriad wills withdraw like a low tide, presenting lucid moments of construction for our Dreamers to fill with meaning. They are the lull in our story; an overture to rising action; a calm amid the storm. The Discovery ritual explains how to use these lower tempo1 moments to their utmost.
It is equally important for both Players and Game Masters to understand these rituals as they form the muscle tissue of every dream. These encounters are the crushing defeats, soaring victories, and reflective interludes that make this game a story.
Marginalia: 1 - The Beckoning Dream lacks the usual “downtime” and “rest periods” that other, more simulationist TTRPGs have. Sessions of play are focused on moving through the cards of a Dream Spread to achieve the dream’s narrative focus.
However, if all play fell into the Conflict rituals, there would be no ebb and flow to the game’s pacing. Conflict rituals have a high cognitive load, asking players to engage in improvisational narrative, collaborative prompt-based worldbuilding, artistic interpretation, and strategic mathematics all at once. Without periods of lower cognition, where creativity and slowness can eclipse tactical considerations, the game would quickly exhaust its players. (cont'd in response skeet)

Screenshot of the Merriam-Webster rotating word of the year gif. Matt's word is "besotted".

A photo of Matt holding The Zone, a surreal play-to-lose horror RPG in a box. A swirling vortex of Eldritch energy surrounds a human whose flesh peels away into smoke, revealing the skull beneath. Two onlookers pull away in horror.

A photo of two hardcover books being held in Matt's hand. On the left is Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. On the right is Irish Fairy Tales and Folklore by W.B. Yeats

A sample spread from The Beckoning Dream. The left page has primary text in a larger, circa 1700's font with more recent typography in the margins, explaining the primary text. The right page shows a chapter break with the title "Part 1 - Dreaming" over a surreal landscape: eyes float downward in pursuit of people scrambling, flying, and swimming to avoid various demises. A massive leviathan lurks in the waters as strange beings watch from the heavens above.

A book(?) bound so that half the book opens one direction and the other half opens the other direction. The cover basically forms a Z-shape with pages on either side of the middle cover.

Matt's 2025 Bingo Board. "Mörk Sol", "Learn and Play a new TTRPG", "New Medal on DMs Guild / Drive Thru", "Take a vacation", "1,000 followers on Blue Sky", "Finish reading a new fiction book", "Do something cool that I didn't think of in January", "Infinite Citadel", "Finish Reading a new non-fiction book", "Fulfill Temperamental Upgrades", "Make a Pocket Game", "One Page TTRPG", and "Successful Crowdfunding Campaign" are all marked off. "Out of Orbit" is the new TTRPG, "The Inquisitor" is the new medal, "Absolution by Vandermeer" is the new fiction book, "Spill Your Fluids" is the something cool, "Blood in the Machine" is the new non-fiction book, "Gentlemages" is the pocket game, "Thou Art" is the One Page TTRPG, and "Before the Bog God" is the successful crowdfunding campaign. There is a star on Mörk Sol to signify it was a square that resulted in BINGO.

Screenshot of the Sci-fi Shell Corp Generator, a compatible with Mörk Sol digital tool. Ronss Industries - Already out of business! In the Span, ever shifting, faceless amalgamations of shell companies, holdings, and fall-guys, represent the interests of a select few of the ultra-rich. A hydra of rotating company names and logos, popping up and dissolving before anyone can blame them for anything.

mockups of both the light and dark covers of Before the Bog God, a duet ritual game of world building and dark deals.

Matt's 2025 Bingo Board. "Learn and Play a new TTRPG", "New Medal on DMs Guild / Drive Thru", "Take a vacation", "1,000 followers on Blue Sky", "Finish reading a new fiction book", "Do something cool that I didn't think of in January", "Infinite Citadel", "Finish Reading a new non-fiction book", "Fulfill Temperamental Upgrades", "Make a Pocket Game", "One Page TTRPG", and "Successful Crowdfunding Campaign" are all marked off. "Out of Orbit" is the new TTRPG, "The Inquisitor" is the new medal, "Absolution by Vandermeer" is the new fiction book, "Spill Your Fluids" is the something cool, "Blood in the Machine" is the new non-fiction book, "Gentlemages" is the pocket game, "Thou Art" is the One Page TTRPG, and "Before the Bog God" is the successful crowdfunding campaign.

A video of Matt talking about Mörk Sol while the Kickstarter trailer plays in the background.

Matt's lunch: leftover make-it-yourself pizza crust slathered in melted cheese, olives, and banana peppers, served with marinara sauce. Their desk, full of papers for Mörk Sol development, is in the background.

A video of Matt talking about the upcoming Mörk Sol Kickstarter. The campaign launches on November 1st. You'll be able to support the creation of a whole suite of physical goodies that bring this sci-fi action horror TTRPG to life.

A box full of Temperamental Upgrades zines sits on a table. Two face up copies are visible, one slightly obscured by a bit of yellow packing divider. Both are covered in thin plastic wrap.

Matt's 2025 Bingo Board. "Learn and Play a new TTRPG", "New Medal on DMs Guild / Drive Thru", "Take a vacation", "1,000 followers on Blue Sky", "Finish reading a new fiction book", "Do something cool that I didn't think of in January", "Infinite Citadel", and "One Page TTRPG" are all marked off. "Out of Orbit" is the new TTRPG, "The Inquisitor" is the new medal, "Absolution by Vandermeer" is the new fiction book, "Spill Your Fluids" is the something cool, and "Thou Art" is the One Page TTRPG.