The Electric State: Into The Dust

Creating your character

Depending on table preference: 1. Players may choose from a list of 10 pre-generated Travelers that include interconnected Personal Goals, Threats, and Threat Countdowns for each as a way to assist in roleplaying and shaping a growing narrative that aligns with the shape of the journey. 2. Players may create their own Traveler according to the rules in the Core Rulebook (starting on pg. 52) with additional assistance from me and through discussion and collaboration with other players in a dedicated Discord channel prior to Session 1.

Preparing for the session

Welcome to The Electric State! To keep onboarding smooth and get us into the game quickly, please complete the following steps before the session. None of this is difficult, but doing it ahead of time helps avoid technical delays once we start. What we are using • Foundry: The virtual tabletop where we play. • Discord: https://discord.gg/pw262FFCFy I will send you a direct invitation link to the Foundry game. Once you join, your character will be assigned and ready to play. No account necessary. Passwords will be assigned. 1. FOUNDRY Foundry may be new to some players, but the learning curve is relatively gentle. If you want to get comfortable ahead of time, this quick guide walks through the basics: https://foundryvtt.com/article/player-orientation/ 2. THE GAME Unlike typical RPGs, where the primary objective is to save the world or defeat a villain, The Electric State is a road movie in game form. The story focuses on how you and your companions reach your destination, grappling with your personal dreams, flaws, and the bonds forged along the way. Though not mandatory, I highly encourage getting at least a PDF copy of The Electric State Core Rulebook to get a sense of the tone and structure in advance.

What Dan brings to the table

I'll provide everything needed to play, including house rules, quick-reference guides, character handouts, and player aids designed specifically for online play. Because The Electric State does not currently have official Foundry Virtual Tabletop support, players will not have in-session access to the core rulebook or a fully automated rules interface. Instead, I've created streamlined reference materials and table resources that keep the focus on the story rather than searching through rules. My role is to establish the setting, describe the world, portray its inhabitants, and keep the story moving while adjudicating the rules. Expect vivid descriptions, NPC voices, ambient music, sound effects, visual handouts, and high-level maps to help orient your journey, without reducing every scene to a tactical grid. I treat roleplaying as a collaborative act of storytelling. I'll provide the atmosphere, the people, the places, and the consequences. You'll bring the characters, their choices, and the journey's direction. Together we'll create a road trip that feels cinematic, personal, and uniquely your own.

Homebrew rules

HOUSE RULES The Electric State is already a light, story-driven game, so I make very few mechanical changes. Tell me what your character is trying to do. If it's clever, creative, or takes an unexpected approach, I'll usually favor what makes sense in the fiction over a strict reading of the rules, provided it's fair to everyone at the table. The rules are there to create tension, uncertainty, and consequences. They always matter. But I'll endeavor to fit the mechanics to the story rather than force the story to fit the mechanics.

How Dan creates a safe table

The Electric State is a quiet, reflective game set in the aftermath of a world that has already fallen apart. Its themes include loss, isolation, memory, regret, and the unsettling effects of neurocaster technology. While the setting can be dangerous and emotionally heavy, it is not a horror game, and graphic violence or shock for its own sake is never the goal. Before we begin, I'll explain the tone of the campaign and answer any questions about its themes. Everyone should know what kind of story we're telling before the first scene begins. During play, communication is always open. If something becomes uncomfortable, you can speak up at any time or message me privately. We'll also use Foundry's Table Safety module, allowing any player to pause, skip, or stop a scene without explanation. If a boundary is raised, we'll adjust the scene and continue. The journey may be uncertain, but the table should never be. Everyone deserves to feel comfortable contributing to the story, and maintaining a respectful, welcoming environment is always more important than any scene, encounter, or plot point.