The Triptych
Triptych (trip-tick) n. A picture or carving on three panels able to fold over the centre; a set of three associated works so placed esp. as a centre piece; a set of three writing tablets hinged or tied together; a set of three artistic works; such used as an altar piece; a treatise in three parts.
Each year, Pheno invites three respected designers to present a systemless single session game as part of a triptych. Each game showcases what we consider the best of Pheno roleplaying: characterisation, drama, entertainment, innovation. Each game will be judged separately, but teams competing in all three games will also be eligible for the Triptych Perpetual Trophy.
- Crime and Punishment — by David Hollingworth
- The Fall of the Family — by Andrew Smith
- The Group — by Mike(y) and Liz Argall
- Previous triptychs
- (Back to the main games page)
Crime and Punishment
by David Hollingworth
Humanity has leapt out into the stars. Following the Last World War, the war that left the the cradle in ruins, a new Golden Age of discovery and exploration has dawned.
But for some, this new dawn brings no joy. Humanity is still plagued by its baser instincts. Crime is rife throughout space, and for the guilty punishment is swift and harsh. Mining Colony 1/93-6 is one such punishment. Here, those deemed unfit to mingle with the rest of society are incarcerated where they can give something back. It is a life sentence of hard labour, extracting vital ores from cold rock.
It is no less a punishment for the prison wardens and staff, watching over their charges in the long dark, as they are left behind in the great age of expansion... doing whatever it takes to keep the prison running, profitable and secure.
A game of ideals and making ends meet for the five staff of Asteroid 1/93-6.
| Pheno ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
| Characterisation 4 | Genre 2 | Rules knowledge 0 |
| Story/plot 4 | Seriousness 4 | Advisory rating MA (adult themes, politics, violence) |
The Fall of the Family
by Andrew Smith
For five hundred years since they conquered Yantary, the tyrannical Drachon 'First Family' has bled the nation white.
But their grip is weakening. The war is lost. Soldat aerial dreadnoughts control Yantar skies. The economy has collapsed. Yantar factories are smoking ruins; Yantar ducats are not worth the paper they're printed on. Loyalty is criminal. Revolutionaries of a hundred different ideologies fight in the streets. The only thing they have in common is their desire to see the Drachons dead.
This won't be easy, however: in their fortress-palace, guarded by their Praetorians, the Drachons still think themselves powerful enough to keep ruling Yantary — for another five hundred years.
A nasty awakening for the five members of the Drachon family.
| Pheno ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
| Characterisation 5 | Genre 1 (Dieselpunk political) | Rules knowledge 0 |
| Story/plot 4 | Seriousness 4 | Advisory rating MA (adult themes, violence) |
The Group
by Mike(y) and Liz Argall
Five strangers.
One shared experience.
Five wounds.
One shared goal.
Please use care in selecting this game as it is emotional in nature and contains psychologically confronting elements.
| Pheno ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
| Characterisation 5 | Genre 0 | Rules knowledge 0 |
| Story/plot 3 | Seriousness 4 | Advisory rating MA (strong adult themes) |
| Video Rental Scale: "Hey, look! A one room improvised drama" | ||
Previous triptychs
2007
John Hughes — Quest: Mask of Heroes
Jacinta Thomler — Six Soldiers
David James — Those Left Behind
2006
Liz Argall — Being There
Joe McNamara — Killing De Villefort
Ingrid Bean — Rebirthing Eden
2005
Stuart Barrow — The Mask and the Moonlight
Xole Karman — Familiar
Andrew Smith — Something Wonderful
2004
Robbie Matthews — Mayhem Over Manhattan
Peter Rousell — Last Night in Eden
Eric Henry — The Fishbowl
2003
David James — Can you go home again?
Mike Walker — Psi
Ingrid Bean — Silence
2002
Ben Hunter — Project Hydra
Robert Barbetti — Something Wicked
Mark Bruckard — This Way Comes
2001
Larry Larkin — Once upon a time
Ryan d'Argeavel — I knew she was trouble the minute she walked into my office
Jon Naughton — They don't advertise for killers in a newspaper
2000
Michael Hitchens — You are Number 4, I am Number 6
Caitlin May — What is Honour?
Tony Guyot — Citius Altius Fortiu
1999 [The year Pheno ate Cancon]
Richard Canning — Memory Lost
Jo Ellem — Signor Jacemo's Circus of Wonder
Morgan Morningstar — Redemption
1998
Liz Argall — When I Meet My Family
Felix White — Lost Highway
Scott Walton & Daniel Wilks — Spazmo
1997
Andrew Smith — Fatalism
Diana Leithead — The Charity Gig
Antti Roppola — Understanding Ellen West
1996
Richard Percy — Covenant
Mark Barnes — Prometheus Rising
Brent Steves — Graenlendinga Saga
1995
John Hughes — Fallen Angel
Madi — Freaks
Grant Allen & Lindsay Beaton — Portents
1994
Ian Wanless — The Breaking
Robert MacLean — Faded Giant
Chris Slee — Uncle Jurgen's Happy Hour