Mothership RPG in 1 rule

Summary

The script introduces 'Mothership,' a tabletop role-playing game with a focus on survival in space. It emphasizes the harsh reality of death, where players must make their last moments meaningful. The game mechanics involve a death save with a 50/50 chance of dying or becoming a burden to the team, highlighting the game's lethality and the tension it creates. The unseen roll adds to the suspense, making every decision critical and the outcome uncertain.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The game described is a tabletop role-playing game with a space theme, involving elements of survival and danger.
• 🎮 It is designed to play like a soundtrack with a growing sense of dread, enhancing the immersive experience.
• 🛸 The game includes scenarios such as distress beacons, escape pods, and hull breaches, adding to the tension and urgency.
• 👩‍🚀 The script mentions a 'Mother Ship' and smaller crafts, suggesting a hierarchical structure within the game's setting.
• 💀 The game deals with death in a significant way, emphasizing the lethality and the need to make the most of one's last moments.
• 🎲 The 'death save' mechanic is highlighted, where players have a 50% chance of dying and a 20% chance of becoming an unresponsive burden.
• 📜 Section 29.2 of the game's rulebook is specifically mentioned, indicating the importance of this rule in gameplay.
• 🤖 The script includes references to 'Murder Bots' and 'I'm sorry Dave', hinting at AI and possibly a nod to the film '2001: A Space Odyssey'.
• 🔮 The game encourages players to make choices between surviving, solving problems, or saving others, with a focus on compromise.
• 👥 The game's style treats the Game Master (GM) as another player, emphasizing equal footing and shared tension.
• 🌌 The game's setting is cosmic, with 'dead-end jobs strewn across the cosmos', suggesting a vast and perilous universe to explore.

Q & A

What is the 'Mothership' game described in the transcript?

The 'Mothership' game is a tabletop role-playing game that features a retro console display and is designed to be played like a soundtrack with a rising note of dread. It emphasizes survival in a cosmic setting with a focus on the player's ability to stay alive or not.

What is the significance of the phrase 'burn the smaller craft will lift off' in the script?

This phrase suggests a scenario in the game where a smaller spacecraft is launched, possibly for a mission or to escape a larger ship, setting the stage for a dramatic event in the game.

What does the 'growing crack in the astronaut's helmet' represent in the game?

This represents a critical situation where an astronaut's helmet is compromised, indicating a high risk of life-threatening consequences, thus adding to the tension and urgency of the game.

What is the role of 'distress beacons' in the game?

Distress beacons are likely used to signal for help or to alert other players to danger, adding an element of communication and urgency to the gameplay.

How are 'Escape pods' used in the game?

Escape pods are a means for characters to escape from dangerous situations, such as a damaged ship or an imminent threat, providing a way to survive catastrophic events.

What does the term 'Hull breaches' signify in the game?

Hull breaches refer to damage to the outer shell of a spacecraft, which can lead to life-threatening situations such as decompression or exposure to hostile environments.

What is the significance of 'Murder Bots' in the game?

Murder Bots are likely antagonistic entities within the game that pose a threat to the players, adding an element of danger and conflict to the gameplay.

How does the game handle the concept of 'death'?

The game handles death through a 'death save' mechanic, where players have a chance to make their last moments count by saving someone's life, solving a mystery, or giving others time to escape. The outcome is determined by a dice roll and a lookup on a death table.

What is the meaning of the 'death save' in the game?

The 'death save' is a mechanic where, upon imminent death, a player rolls a d10 die, which is then placed face down. The fate of the character is revealed when another player checks their vitals, adding an element of suspense and uncertainty.

What does 'survive, solve, save' represent in the game's philosophy?

This mantra represents the core choices and objectives for players in the game. They must decide whether to prioritize their own survival, solve a critical problem, or save someone else, reflecting the game's focus on tough decisions and consequences.

How does the game differ from traditional role-playing games in terms of player and GM interaction?

In traditional role-playing games, the GM is often the omnipotent arbiter, controlling information flow. 'Mothership', however, treats the GM more like another player and values tension, creating a more equal and collaborative experience.