Hello TTRPG World.
This is my first update so please be patient with me and my possible irregular updates.
For a long time, I really can’t figure out what kind of content I should be sharing, but then I thought to myself: why not give this blog a try and see where this leads me to?
I’m Xenon though my TTRPG alias goes by fleetingXe. I’m a co-developer with Root (DiceStew) to develop a game, Project Hunger using a Sparked with the Resistance system. I started my TTRPG experience with D&D5e before COVID era began, but I got exposed to Mothership 0e TTRPG when Root first posted the ad - thanks, Root for introducing me to a variety of RPGs!
Afterthoughts of ink RPG…
Few months ago, my players and I were in the mood to try something new and an ink RPG looked exciting to try. Who wouldn’t want to play as a spirit and a shadow at same time? It was cute and relaxing.
Ink RPG is designed by the Snowbright Studio where a player acts as a spirit for the social and a shadow for the combat purpose. The spirit comes with no memories from the beginning that they must set out on a ship to ride on an inky sea and reach a Key that serves as a point of interest or a lighthouse.
To give some context, we did not start out from the previous existing campaign to bring our dead adventurers back and explore deeper in their past. We took on the challenge where we tried from the scratch because none of us liked the linear storyline. On top of that, our session zero agreed on worldbuilding a region with Asian fantasy - FYI, I’m mixed Asian. We wanted something fresh and different from the medieval fantasy setting.
After running two sessions, we did find the ink RPG’s mechanics challenging to integrate into our story. What we learned together so far:
- Supplemental type. This system seemed to encourage players in bringing their dead characters back and use their rich backstory to serve as the plot builder. Various themes would fit in well.
- Linear journey. While this seemed not to be used as an independent story, it can be used to supplement the “what-if” scenario. For example, we could think of a character going on, “Hey, what if my character had a friend’s betrayal but they couldn’t remember why until they recalled their lost memories this way?” Then boom, a new Key, a point of interest, appeared right there.
- Simple mechanics. This mechanic is straightforward and simple to pick up, but it’s not to start anew. Instead, it's a continuation of the story where the exploitation of weaknesses would make more sense this way. For example, if my character from D&D5e died a clockwork sorcerer with time magic, it would make more sense to realize that there is a recurring theme focused on time and allow me to exploit time-based tags such as Haste and Slow.
With that in mind, we agreed to drop this ongoing progress out. I struggled running this way, especially with American Sign Language (“ASL”) on Zoom to describe how I can hint at the elements of weakness without being too obvious. While I learned a few things from it, I realized that I needed a change of framework in the way I present information if I were to continue the past campaign with this system, and it would be done better.
Dungeon23 on the flying clouds
Imagine how we sit on the fluffy, cool clouds and enjoy the view at the sunrise, do we feel the clouds floating away? Yes, that’s what my progress with Dungeon23 looks like this way.
Since Sean McCoy, one of Mothership RPG designers, released the popular trend, #dungeon23, I admittedly jumped on the bandwagon and tried out. My progress varied but was also dependent on what’s going on with my life. In the beginning of 2023, I made some good progress where I made two different concepts based on two different systems.
Then…early summer began and my progress was sorta put to a halt for the time being. I don’t intend to drop it out obviously, but I might find better time to “catch up” at some point on the “better side” of my free time.
WIP: The Wavelength
I titled this megadungeon “The Wavelength” because I visualized how each wave could affect space travel. For example, if we were to get lost somewhere in the galaxy and encounter the first wave, we get stuck. We “explore” the rooms left behind and the “abnormal” rooms that seemed out of the blue until we find a jump portal to move from the first wave to the next wave. The end goal is to avoid the black hole as much as possible - it's a contradictory goal, isn’t it? This is where I really haven’t worked that far enough to flesh this concept, but I did make some rooms with descriptions - see below.
Pardon my messy writings, I’m not sure if it’s easy to read though! I added the Image Descriptions at your convenience.
WIP: The City Within Cities
The City Within Cities is something I played with the words. I wanted to try and create a biggest city but when the adventurers delve deeper, there are other cities within to explore and face the unknown. Then there’s a recurring theme I would like the players to explore their characters’ flaws each time they complete a city-geon. The point is to grow the size of their character’s flaws bigger and bigger until they face themselves to resolve their interpretation of their flaws.
Morktober 2023
You probably noticed by now that Mörktober 2023 began a few days ago!
If you haven’t checked out, here is the link to Mörktober 2023 prompt and share your work by tagging #MÖRKTOBER.
I finished all prompts on Mörktober 2023, but I haven’t begun processing how I want to layout the information and figure out the type of art aesthetics. Here’s the quick peek to show that I did some typed work below (pardon my terrible English):
Signal Boost a RPG + Some Closing Thoughts
That’s a wrap-up!
Before I share some closing thoughts, I’d like to signal boost a RPG system that I want to support BIPOC representation in the RPG space.
Gubat Banwa 1e went live on Kickstarter recently. I’m thrilled to know there is Filipino fantasy to play with its unique system! Can’t wait to read and learn more about my Filipino heritage and understand how it is perceived during the pre-colonization era.
Check Gubat Banwa and support its team!
In closing my thoughts, Root and I’d like to have your feedback on this quickstart for Project Hunger with a Sparked with Resistance system. If you already ran or played, we would love to listen to your opinions by filling out this survey. This will help us figure out which aspect of the game mechanics that need some improvements. Much appreciated!
Since this month is all about horror, Root and I occasionally hosted an one-shot game, which summarizes in one session. In the past two years during COVID era, I ran quite a lot (yay, working from home!), heavily on the side of D&D5e because of the west march campaign format, and some various oneshot games. Mörk Borg, Mothership, and Death Spiral (one-page) were showcased last time. This year with the in-person requirement back on, I only managed to run one game, which I’m interested in finding out what the Broken Tales RPG is about. I plan to use the quickstart and see what happens. As a player, I can’t wait to try the second game using Trophy Dark, which is called Butter Princess and run by Root.
Until then, stay healthy and take care!
Any thoughts? Suggestions? Feel free to leave a comment. Or subscribe to read my irregular updates in exploring TTRPG games.
