#iHunt: Killing Monsters in the Gig Economy

Fate Core System, FATE on Roll20, Discord

About the adventure

#iHunt is set in the real world. Or at least a world with very real problems like systemic racism, wealth inequality, inaccessible health care… and vampires. Werewolves, too. And zombies, all sorts of supernatural problems, really. But, in adversity there is opportunity, because there’s an app for that. Using the #iHunt app, folks who have little to lose can solve some of their financial problems by risking their lives to take out the things that go bump in the night, then collect on the contract through the app. If you’ve ever been in the position of having to carefully time when bills are paid so that your bank account doesn’t go into overdraft, or had to forgo something fun because there are no groceries in the house, it becomes easy to understand why someone might jump at the chance to make two month’s wages in one night: all you have to do is kill a vampire, who’s supernaturally fast, supernaturally strong, and can probably smell you coming. Big reward require big risk, but if you’re smart, you can tilt the playing field, so maybe the risks aren’t so big. Where the trouble really comes in is it’s not regular work: as soon as you quit your day job, gigs dry up, and you’re left with bills and eviction notices. Not good. So you keep your day job, and when that sixty hours a week is done, you can spend another ten to twenty a week hopefully making enough to pay down the balance on that credit card, or take care of medical bills from the broken ribs three months ago. The letters will keep coming if you don’t. If the monsters kill you? Well, if that happens, you won’t have to worry about the car payment any more.

Additional Details

How to prepare

Players should have a microphone and webcam, and (free) accounts on Roll20 and Discord. Beyond that nothing is required other than imagination and a willingness to work with the table to tell a great story. If a player wants to acquire the #iHunt rules they’re available in pdf from itch.io as well as some novels set in the world by the game’s author. (again, not required, but I think they’re good!)

What I provide

I'll have the Roll20 game set up with maps, music and art, as well as maintaining a Discord group for sound.

Gameplay details

#iHunt uses the Fate system, which encourages players to engage with the fiction and work together with the whole table to tell a fun and compelling story. Characters and abilities tie into the narrative very directly, and Fate uses a ‘fiction first’ style that asks you to describe what you want to do, then let the mechanics determine how to do it. While some Hunters may be the scions of the idle rich, taking hunts for the thrill, most are the less well off, the victims of late stage capitalism, millenials, nineties kids, who have turned to monster hunting because of insurmountable student loan debt, child support, out of control medical bills (hunting is dangerous0 or all of the above. There is mystery solving, creative thinking and plenty of combat—though that’s going to go either really well, or turn bad in a hurry. The game does a great job teaching the basics of Fate, and I tailor my games to teach beginners as well as challenging veterans. Safety tools are baked directly into the rules as well, so even though the topics can get mature and graphic, everyone will be able to be safe and have a good time.

Content warnings

(none)

Safety tools used

(none)

How will character creation work

Like most Fate games, #iHunt works best when characters are created together, so we’ll have a session zero to do that, as well as work out things like safety concerns and how to use some safety tools. Having an idea for a character before session zero is, of course, absolutely fine, just be flexible and ready to work with the group to make sure everyone can work together. I’m happy to teach any systems that players aren’t comfortable with, and getting used to the Roll20 VTT as necessary.

Players can expect

• Find a game to join solo or search for a professional game master for you and your friends/coworkers/family.
• Book your session and wait for the Game Master to approve you.
• If you don't have a blast with your first game, your next game is on us.