Cheers! Yeah, there was a lot I wanted to do with the project, but by the end I realised I was trying to fit quite a substantial module into a trifold format. Space was definitely the biggest challenge, and most ideas had to be stripped back heavily just to fit.
From the beginning, the intention was for this to be a very bare bones concept that the Warden could build upon themselves. I wanted it to feel more like an ad libbing style trifold that encouraged improvisation at the table, and in hindsight I think I could have pushed that aspect further. That especially applied to the logs, where I tried to leave room for interpretation, although I still somehow ended up writing those sections in more detail than intended!
I do plan to revisit and redevelop this as a zine instead, where I can properly flesh out the ship, expand the systems, and include a stronger subplot. This was only my second time handling the writing side of a trifold, and the first time I have really tried incorporating more structured rules into one, so it has been a valuable learning experience.
With the artefact, my intention from the start was to lean into a “what’s in the briefcase?” style mystery similar to Pulp Fiction. I removed some of the artefact artwork to make more room for text, although looking back I probably did not use that extra space as effectively as I could have.
I also agree that the theme ended up fairly minimal. I had originally hoped the connected system would settle on a stronger shared mythology or legend, but as that never fully developed, I chose to keep my contribution more open so it would not contradict other entries. One of the biggest challenges was also the danger mechanics. I had ideas for a more evolved narrative progression throughout the trifold, but realistically I felt there was only room for either the hazard table or a more complex mechanic, not both. After showing versions to several Wardens, opinion seemed split, so I followed my instincts and kept the hazard table.
Overall, it has definitely been a learning curve. I think a lot of us found ourselves stronger in certain sections and weaker in others, which speaks to how difficult the trifold format can be. If anything, I have realised I am probably more confident with the visual and structural side than the written aspect, though I will absolutely be taking all of your feedback into future projects. Thank you again, I really appreciate the feedback and the time taken to go through it.