Image by Santiago Avila Caro
Public Access: Dead Channel
A group of strangers returns to Deep Lake, New Mexico, searching for a TV station that vanished without a trace.
TYPE
SYSTEM
LANGUAGE
EXPERIENCE
AGE
$25.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Thursday - 5:00 PM UTC
Session Duration / 3ā4 hours
Campaign Length / 10ā15 Sessions
1 / 4 Seats Filled
Report Adventure
StartPlaying Money Back Guarantee
If your game doesn't happen, we guarantee a refund. Just reach out to StartPlaying Support. Refund Policy
Meet your party members
1/4
About the adventure
š§ DeadChannel81 The signal is always there, even if we can't see it. Posted: April 29, 2004 | 11:14 PM Okay, weirdosā I did something mildly impulsive. Rented a house in Deep Lake for the whole summer. Rodenbecker Street. Cheap. Weird vibes. Might be haunted. The idea is we finally meet up. We all lived in Deep Lake once, right? We all remember TV Odyssey, even if nobody else does. Thought it might be worth the trip to finally try to figure out what happened to it once and for all. Open invite. You down? ---- The year is 2004. You are the Deep Lake Latchkeys, a group of young people who met on an internet forum. You have some key things in common: Youāre all in your early 20s. You all spent time in the small town of Deep Lake, New Mexico when you were kids in the ā80s and early ā90s. And youāre the only ones who remember TV Odyssey, the public access station that mysteriously vanished in ā94. As the Latchkeys return to Deep Lake and get sucked into its strangeness all over again, they become increasingly aware of the central role TV Odyssey plays in everything thatās going on -- and will have to face whatever terrible truth lies at the heart of the infamous station. PUBLIC ACCESS is a collaborative, narrative-focused RPG that takes inspiration from early internet horror stories, creepypasta tales, and urban legends. Itās also inspired by the analog and found footage horror subgenres, synthwave and vaporwave music, and American pop culture from the ā80s and ā90s. It uses the emergent mystery mechanics popularized by Brindlewood Bay and The Between ā but you donāt need to know anything about those games before we play. Come ready to collaboratively create an atmosphere of nostalgia and dread, and Iāll teach the rules as we go. š¼
Game style
Roleplay Heavy
Theater of the Mind
Combat Lite
Sandbox / Open World
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(11)
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Inclusive, Creativity, Storytelling
About me
Do you crave juicy character drama? Do you want games that drip with atmosphere and tension? Do you think friends coming together to tell stories is basically the greatest thing ever? Yeah, me too. Iām Elle ā fantastic to meet you. Letās play together! Iām a writer, editor, and sometimes-designer based out of NYC. Horror and mystery are my greatest loves, but my taste in games is expansive ā from steampunk scoundrels in Blades in the Dark, to supernatural teen drama in Monsterhearts, to Regency-era scheming in Good Society. Though Iāve been running indie roleplaying games for the better half of a decade, my professional background is in publishing, and I bring that strong literary sensibility to my games. My absolute favorite thing about running games (and playing them, for that matter!) is being surprised. My highly improvisational style cultivates a collaborative atmosphere, dramatic twists (gasp!), and deeply character-driven stories. Donāt hesitate to reach out with questions about gaming with me! Iām well-versed in Powered by the Apocalypse and Forged in the Dark systems, and always open to learning something new.
View Profile āCharacter creation
Creating your character
Character creation will happen before the first session. Players will be provided a shared campaign document including digital character sheets and a character creation walkthrough. I'm also more than happy to answer questions and assist via our game's Discord server! Public Access character creation is quick; it typically takes no longer than 15 minutes.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
To access resources for the game, please create an email-verified Discord account.
What Elle brings to the table
š¬ Collaborative storytelling ā I build every session around your characters, their arcs, and the unexpected turns that make stories memorable. My style is highly improvisational and thrives on shared creativity. š Smooth gameplay ā I provide digital character sheets, shared documentation, and clear explanations of the rules, so even new players can jump right in without feeling overwhelmed. š Dynamic roleplay ā I bring NPCs to life with distinct voices, personalities, and motivations. ā¤ļø Safety & comfort ā I use clear safety tools and check-ins to make sure everyone feels welcome and respected, even when the story gets dark (and in this game, it will!).
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Headphones
Webcam
Platforms used
Safety
How Elle creates a safe table
In our first session, I will provide a thorough introduction of our safety tools (Lines & Veils, the X-card, and the open door policy). Our shared campaign sheet will include Lines & Veils determined by the group, and will function as a living document that players should feel free to update throughout the campaign. Each session will end with a debrief and Stars & Wishes.
Content warnings
Safety tools used