What is MOSAIC Strict?

For a full primer on the MOSAIC Strict design philosophy, make sure to read the blog article Nothing at the Bottom: MOSAIC Strict RPG Design by Michael Prescott. It's an approach to creating modular rules text that can be slotted into most rules-lite systems or combined to create a uniquely custom experience. To briefly summarize, the acronym MOSAIC stands for: 

• Modular: Any game text that explicitly claims to bean entire, complete RPG is not Mosaic Strict.
• Optional: Any game text that describes itself as necessary for play is not Mosaic Strict.
• Short: Mosaic Strict game texts are no more than 1500 words.
• Attested: Mosaic Strict texts say they are Mosaic Strict.
• Independent: Mosaic Strict texts do not refer to the mechanics or quantified state in any other game text.
• Coreless: assume nothing else is in use beyond free-form play

What are the Rules for this Jam?

There are very few rules for the jam, as its primary purpose is a casual creative exercise in working within constraints, establishing a daily creative habit for designers, and increasing the overall available of novel & interesting MOSAIC Strict modules out in the wild.

At the end of this page are 30 short design prompts -  create a short TTRPG supplement following the MOSAIC framework described above. It can be anything - an adventure, character creation system, combat rules, classes. The intention is to create one a day, going down the list of prompts in order.  You are welcome to interpret the prompts in any way you wish, so long as it adheres to the MOSAIC Strict design philosophy.

What if I start late / fall behind?

While the intention is one prompt a day for 30 days, the jam itself will take submissions for a bit longer than a month. You're also perfectly welcome to skip days, do prompts out of order, or do multiple prompts a day if the spirit moves you. The goal is to have fun & explore new creative spaces.

The Prompts:

1. Unconventional Magic
2. Cursed Artifacts
3. Cooperative Worldbuilding
4. Dynamic Environments
5. Building Character
6. Transformative Items
7. Player-Driven Narrative
8. Parallel Realities
9. Moral Dilemmas
10. Mythical Beasts
11. Subterfuge and Intrigue
12. Living Ecosystem
13. Experimental Technology
14. Dreams and Nightmares
15. Ethereal Entities
16. Cultural Clashes
17. Time Travel Shenanigans
18. Intricate Puzzles
19. Natural Disasters
20. Living Legends
21. Unreliable Narrators
22. Cosmic Scale
23. Magical Artistry
24. Supernatural Ailments
25. Technomancy
26. Lost Civilizations
27. Shapeshifting
28. Non-Combat Resolution
29. Haunted Places
30. Epic Journeys

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