Image by Aleksandr Popov
The All-New Spectacular X-Factor Investigations
The bar beneath X-Factor Investigations attracts all kinds mutants. In this run, we follow those mutants' every day lives as they become heroes.
TYPE
LEVELS
LANGUAGE
EXPERIENCE
AGE
$25.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Tuesday - 2:30 AM UTC
Oct 13 / Session 3
Session Duration / 3 hours
Campaign Length / 11+ Sessions
4 / 5 Seats Filled
Top Game Master
One of StartPlaying's top-rated GMs, a player favorite and highly recommended.
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Meet your party members
4/5
About the adventure
The X-Men comics have had a long and complicated past within the Marvel Universe. Through it all, three key aspects emerge in my eyes: Superheroic Action, Representation and Support for Minority Groups, and Soap Opera Drama. I aim to recreate each of these in our X-Factor game. Taking the original concept behind the "Spectacular" series for Spider-Man, we will focus on the character relationships and everyday life of these heroes in addition to the bombastic action set pieces that Marvel is Known for. If you don't know anything about X-Men lore, no worries. I will have a full primer for you ready to go before the game starts. In case you do have some background knowledge: This game takes place in the aftermath of M-Day, with over 90% of the mutant population having lost their powers. You play as one of many mutants still living in Mutant Town, New York. Riots made up of both Ex-Mutants and Anti-Mutant "Saps" plague the streets. Odd crimes pop up here and there, investigated by X-Factor Investigations. All the while, the In Nomine bar does its best to stay afloat. The story starts with your characters meeting the bar before being looped into various street level mutant escapades. I also promise to not use any generative AI for Images, Sound, or Text. I never have, and never intend to let generative AI make its way into my creative process. I would also prefer it if players avoided using AI for anything in the game, including character images.
Game style
Roleplay Heavy
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Sandbox / Open World
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(16)
1 year on StartPlaying
192 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Inclusive, Storytelling
Average response time: 4 hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
I'm an English educator who has been in love with tabletop games since high school. I enjoy the Game Master role because it lets me take advantage of the various storytelling and world building techniques I have built up both in my education and personal life. I try to be the person who works hard ahead of time so that others can have a great experience. I think my main goal when GMing is to create a memorable and meaningful experience for my players.
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Creating your character
We will go through character creation together during session 0.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Please sign up for discord and owlbear rodeo, both are free services.
What Brian Espinosa brings to the table
As a GM there are a few things I consider important to running a quality game. 1. Playing to find out what happens. I never plan out the player's solutions to the problems characters face. The fun of these games is creating a story together, and I want to give you all that freedom to help decide where the story goes. 2. Match what makes the players excited. I rely on my players to communicate what interests them about ttrpgs, a setting, or a system. I then adjust my games to focus on those things. I want to play the gmae that you're interested in playing. 3. The Rule of Cool. These games are all about creative problem solving. I always embrace creative player ideas and find a fair way to make them work because I know how great that feels as a player. Swing from chandeliers, cast a spell in a weird way, and try your best to convince the villain of whatever you like. Let’s worry more about telling a good story than following the rules.
Homebrew rules
I'm open to homebrew if it's presented to me first.
Equipment needed to play
Computer
Headphones
Internet
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Brian Espinosa creates a safe table
I like to use Stars and Wishes for easy and clear player feedback. I also encourage players to send me their Lines and Veils so that we can keep people feeling comfortable and safe. Finally, if a player ever does feel uncomfortable with what's happening, please feel free to send me an X and we will resolve the uncomfortable situation.
Content warnings
Safety tools used