Image by Ross Wickings
The Broken Spirit
The crew of the HCSS Spirit are returning home, until they’re woken up from cryosleep. What has happened here? Can they survive whatever it is…
$20.00
/ Session
Details
Once / Saturday - 6:00 PM UTC
Aug 1
Session Duration / 3–4 hours
1 / 6 Seats Filled
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Meet your party members
1/6
About the adventure
This homebrew cinematic play Oneshot is designed for new and experienced players alike. Designed to help people learn the system progressively whilst telling a tension, horror, and suspense filled session. The story is told over 3 acts, with events pushing the story along to give the same feeling as an Alien/sci-fi horror film. There is no need to have deep knowledge, or any really, of the Alien lore. This session is set in a homebrew solar system, the Haarden Corporate System. With unique threats, companies, laws and corruption. There are worse things in the universe than Xenomorphs. You will play one of the 7 crew members of the HCSS Spirit, with pre-generated character sheets provided. Each crew member will have a buddy, a rival, and an agenda that develops as the acts do. Some might prioritise others, themselves or something more sinister. I use Roll20 to bring you character sheets, maps and handouts. You just need a free account. I also use Discord for voice and video, with the latter being optional. Whilst there are some visual aids such as maps and information handouts, but this session will be predominantly theatre of the mind.
Game style
Combat Lite
Roleplay Heavy
Theater of the Mind
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(6)
2 years on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Inclusive, World Builder, Storytelling
About me
I have been a player and GM for a few years now, having run over 100 sessions already and played in over 200. I've written and published through DriveThruRPG a D&D 5e compatible campaign book, 'A Deadly Quest'. I have played D&D 5e, Starfinder 1e, Alien RPG, Candela Obscura, Everyday Heroes, Marvel Multiverse TTRPG, Walking Dead RPG. Looking to diversify my understanding of different systems and how they work. As a GM I have predominantly run D&D 5e sessions, although have recently started GMing Candela Obscura and am planning to run Alien RPG sessions soon. As a GM I focus on player safety and their ability to direct and influence the story. I use safety tools which are talked through in session 0. these include lines & veils, x-cards, an open table and post-session debrief. I can run sessions for new and experienced players, I like to introduce people to ttrpgs in a supportive and calm way. Whilst at the same time having compelling adventures for experienced players too, so they don't get bored. I like to use maps and music wherever that's appropriate, although I can use theatre of the mind for those systems that are more suitable. I create handouts for the players to try and truly immerse them in the experience. Most importantly I like to have fun and want everyone to leave a session having got invested in their character and the story.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Characters are pre-generated and details will be passed upon sign up.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Discord server link will be shared upon sign up. Ensure you have a free Roll20 player account.
What Ross Wickings brings to the table
I will provide the character sheets, as well as a brief overview of the sheets and also the Roll20 platform. I do use ambient music, as well as sound effects where appropriate. This is a horror setting but that doesn’t mean funny things won’t happen. I will provide you with some mystery, tension and horror elements which will balance it out. There are going to be some serious threats to your characters, some of which will be obvious and others won’t be. My aim is to provide you a fun experience in this horror and sci-fi setting. I will generally keep to the rules, but where they don’t cater for something I will try to be fair. Being creative is a real benefit in this style of system, as there are lots of solutions to problems.
Homebrew rules
There are no specific homebrew rules I utilise for this system.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Webcam
Platforms used
Safety
How Ross Wickings creates a safe table
There will be a briefing at the beginning of the session highlighting the content warnings, safety tools being used, and lines and veils in place for this session.
Content warnings
Safety tools used