Fakir Morpharama conjuring something special for the triptychs.
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.
- Quest: Mask of Heroes — by John Hughes
- Six Soldiers — by Jacinta Thomler
- Those left Behind — by David James
- Previous triptychs
- (Back to the main games page)
Quest: Mask of Heroes
A multiform by John Hughes
The myth is strong. The myth wants you back.
It began with a wild rush of adrenalin and almost-forgotten laughter. It became something more. In the game, you find communion. In the game, you believe in who you are.
In 2007, 4R Futures release Quest upon an unsuspecting world. In playing the game, you become heroes of high adventure in a Dark Age fantasy Europe. And with virtual body meshing and biofeedback, your character mimics your appearance, your feelings, your very soul...
In the Quest, five friends and strangers find exhilaration and purpose for their disordered lives. Then, with the Tournament of Nations, it offers the chance of wealth, fame, and more.
And in the background, an election, a government in crisis, and whispers of a new nation.
Quest—it's every game you've ever played.
Quest—create who you are.
Quest—for five everyday disasters.
Being a deconstruction of sorts, of the games we play and why we play them. A seduction of heroes.
For more, visit http://mythologic.info/quest/
| Pheno ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
| Characterisation 5 | Genre 1 to 5 (seriously!) | Rules knowledge 0 |
| Story/plot 3.5 | Seriousness 2 to 4 (ditto) | Advisory rating R (coarse language, racial references, adult concepts) |
Six Soldiers
by Jacinta Thomler
| Once upon a time a great evil swept across the land. Six soldiers stepped forward together, to stand between it and harm, to utter their defiance. | From the outside, it is a straightforward story |
| From small beginnings, they fought long and hard together. Companions fell and were replaced. | You know you are replaceable. The next in line is always waiting. |
| Last to join was the rebel, swayed by the heroine for the cause was just and his heart was pure. | Naïve? Saving his skin? Lust? |
| In the terrible final battle the medic, with them from the beginning, lost her life. Her memory will be honored forevermore. | Memories. Better or worse than survival? |
| Thanks to these soldiers — heroes all — the land is free. | Life is never as simple from the inside. |
A thematic game for a hero, heroine, veteran, rookie and rebel — set after the victory celebrations.
| Pheno ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
| Characterisation 5 | Genre 0 | Rules knowledge 0 |
| Story/plot 3 | Seriousness 4 | Advisory rating MA (adult themes) |
Those Left Behind
By David James
The hero, (and sidekick/love interest/comedy relief), arrived at the secret lair of the Evil Person In Charge, (EPIC). They battled through all the traps, fought all the monsters and the mooks, stopped the doomsday machine and killed the EPIC. Hero and Love Interest then rode away to live happily ever after.
Great. Guess who has to clean all this mess up? Now what do we do?
A single session game of consequences and motivations for five "evil doers" left behind after their EPIC has been killed and his plans stopped.
Requiring: A Trusted Lieutenant, A Mad Scientist, A Spy, A Loyal Thug and a Lap Minion.
| Pheno ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
| Characterisation 5 | Genre 0 | Rules knowledge 0 |
| Story/plot 4 | Seriousness 3.5 | Advisory rating MA |
Previous triptychs
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