Fantastic premise for a post-apocalyptic adventure, beautiful and unique layout, and a really cool encounter mechanic. Well done!
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Those Who Call Down the Moon's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Art: how well does the art support the other content? | #66 | 4.167 | 4.167 |
| Writing: how clear and/or interesting is the writing? | #67 | 4.000 | 4.000 |
| Playability: how easy would it be to run this module? | #92 | 3.625 | 3.625 |
| Overall | #98 | 3.783 | 3.783 |
| Theme: how well would the module have fit into the Appendix N? | #134 | 3.833 | 3.833 |
| Layout: how easy is it to find all the presented information? | #156 | 3.292 | 3.292 |
Ranked from 24 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Comments
I love the color scheme throughout.
Wonderfully simple, yet effective, map.
The text is pretty densely packed.
I like the oracle deck to handle encounters and stocking the rooms. I might tighten up the explanation of how to set it up. Likewise the locking mechanism could get tightened up a bit -- we can see from the combinations that no action is performed twice in a row.
Overall, an excellent little site exploration and a great bit of worldbuilding for a game.
I really like the implied setting, it comes through nicely in the stat blocks and the oracle!
Submitted
Twisting Old WoundsThe premise and overall story development of the module are very interesting. The possible endings are also quite promising. The idea of using a deck of cards to generate encounters and other elements is clever. I imagined inserting this technological location into a fantasy setting and elaborating on the possibilities. I enjoyed the module.
Submitted
The Gloaming UrnfieldGreat to see something a bit different. I love the broto image, and the layout and design reflect the setting very nicely. The AI in love is a cool, motivated NPC. And using a deck of cards for encounters is an interesting change of pace. Contrary to some other comments, far future with broken technology that seems like magic nicely fits the Appendix N vibe as far as I'm concerned.
Submitted
The Scored AtlasThe design is cohesive and pleasing to the eye; the mix of orange tones gives the layout a distinct vibe. The standout feature is the oracle system, which uses a deck of cards to add a compelling layer of randomness and excitement to the adventure. You have fitted a great deal of content into a small canvas. Great work!
Submitted
He Who Walks with ShadowsThis is a tightly designed and cohesive adventure site, and though it falls somewhat outside the traditional Appendix N sword-and-sorcery/pulp aesthetic, it still has a strong sense of atmosphere. The Encounter Deck and Security Lock mechanics are clever, but I wonder if they’re a bit more complex than needed. Functionally, the encounter draws could be approximated with a d4 for type and a d10 for result (with some allowance for duplicates), and the math behind the lock mechanic boils down to a 1-in-6 chance of success if I read it correctly. A doofus like me prefers the least amount of prep possible.
Placing the core's restart behind a system that can permanently lock out the party feels potentially too punishing. A remote reset option (perhaps in a central security room) for fused locks would allow the party additional attempts at the expense of time/risk of encounters.
The layout, on the other hand, is a standout: stylized, full of character, and efficiently packed. Very little space feels wasted. Good work on this.
Submitted
The Cutpurse's DilemmaThanks for the feedback, greatly appreciated.
Card mechanics: You can roll dice twice or draw cards once for same result. :-) Also, the encounter deck introduces uncertainty in its own way: by only drawing 20 cards into the deck at setup means some events simply won't be part of the adventure. GM can also choose to load the deck at setup in different ways (eg draw more spades than hearts, or select specific cards). And cards are just an awesome mechanic that is under utilized (under appreciated?) in RPGs.
Locks: Borrowed from Errant and inspired by Prismatic Wasteland blog post, I specifically wanted to make an adventure that used the locks. This jam was my excuse. :-)
Also, the Cairn approach is to create the world and just put the players in it. Not about "balance" or guaranteeing success. Up to them to be creative and problem solve. Up to GM to make rulings. However, there are avenues to help the players in this adventure: library can answer questions, there's a lock manual the players might find, and the Queen can answer questions too. I had a fourth way the players could use to get help with the locks, but cut it because of space limits.*
Also, it's possible for the same lock type to show up multiple times. PCs can learn from and apply previous experience.
* I cut several things because of space, might release as supplements.
I really enjoyed these post-apocalyptic sci-fi towers!
You managed to capture both the feel of a standard dungeon crawl & the vibes of a Fallout video game perfectly
Submitted
In the House of PlutoThis looks like the most incredible children's book ever, the cover is stellar!
Submitted
Rogues Blood at TwilightHey Matt! Awesome entry, I can see your game design chops in full display here with the poker deck, and lockpicking.
Sidenote, I visited the wrong website and had a good laugh about 'mattkelly.com' haha
Submitted
The War Below the Waves
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