• 27 Dec, 2025 *

Every year I try and write a little post about what folks should expect from me in the coming year. I suppose a small part of me feels that once I’ve announced my plans, it keeps me accountable. Or perhaps I simply enjoy having my goals laid out for all to see? Anyways, here’s what I’ve got in the cooker for the next year:

Cairn Press

This is the big one. In early 2026 I’m going to become a full-time writer as well as publisher, meaning that I will soon be in a position to help creators bring their ideas to fruition! This might mean simply getting a ready-to-go product printed and distributed, or taking a manuscript and tapping someone to do layout, editing, and so on. If you are one of these people, please reach out to me at warden@cairnrpg.com!

Of course, I still plan on publishing more first-party Cairn works, and perhaps even hiring others to create first-party material.

The Book of Vald

Once I go full-time (mid-Feb 2026), I will focus most of my efforts on writing a brand-new book detailing the locations, peoples, factions, and places of Vald. This will hopefully be the first of a trilogy of such books, each packed with dungeons, forests, monsters, backgrounds, relics, a chapter on the Roots, and much, much more. Ideally I’ll crowdsource the printing of this book, which I expect to reach at least 100 pages, if not more. My goal is that folks will be able to pick up this book and run an extended campaign in the setting, with guides on how to adapt other adventures to better fit the unique world of Vald. The text will of course be CC-BY-SA.

CAS Omnibus

Folks have long been asking me to publish a combined work including all of the current entries in the Cairn Adventure Series. There are presently three, and I plan on releasing more of the nine I have already written later this year. A few might make it into the upcoming setting guide, but we’ll see what fits best. Once I have 4 or 5 playtested and in the public’s hands I will likely release them all together in a volume, with information about how to connect them, and where they exist in the world of Vald.

Between Two Cons

I don’t really talk about my podcast very much on this blog, but I imagine most readers know that I co-host a podcast called Between Two Cairns, currently entering its fifth season. Later this year we are launching our first ever convention, which we have elected to call Between Two Cons. The con will take place in Portland, Oregon on June 26th and 27th, 2026. Ticket sales are expected to open in early January. This is probably the riskiest venture I’ve ever taken (at least in the RPG space) and I’m both excited and nervous to go on this journey with my co-hosts, Brad Kerr and Sam Mameli. We plan on having games, vendors, and even a live recording of our show!

Barebones

Recently I spent a few days tweaking Cairn 2e to better fit a particular preference I’d encountered quite frequently these past few years. Essentially, some players preferred random character generation similar to Cairn 1e, without extant backgrounds, Bonds, and so on. They wanted something a bit looser, with no connections to an implied setting. So I’ve decided to give it to them, in the form of Cairn Barebones edition. The rules in Barebones are identical to Cairn 2e, with the exception of character generation. Instead of 20 backgrounds, each packed with explicit items and worldbuilding hooks, players roll up PCs built on simple, generic backgrounds and gear, and even more random gear to complete the package. The project has largely completed layout; I’m currently waiting on a cover from the immeasurable [Amanda Lee Franck](https://newschoolrevolution.com/%5Bhttps://amandalee.itch.io/%5D(https://comradery.co/amandalee)). The interior is only about 40 pages and will feature no additional art; this thing is for the real sickos! It will of course be free to download with CC-BY-SA text, as per usual.

Kettlewright

I can’t say a lot about this right now, but the character keeper app Kettlewright is getting a MAJOR overhaul. I’m very excited to share all the new features with you all soon, and a public beta is planned. It will of course continue to be free, and open source, forever.

Adventures Library

I’ve long been envious of the impressive collections that many other RPGs boast, particularly Mausritter and Liminal Horror. I’d like to build something like this for Cairn, to ease folks ability to find adventures and supplements directly from the Cairn website.

Other Games

I have a few other projects up my sleeve that I’m not privy to speak about now. I will allow that I’m not limiting my new venture solely to roleplaying games, because I have interests in other gaming mediums as well. More on that later in the year!

The End

That’s all, folks. May the coming year bring you health, happiness, and peace.