Games & fun at Pheno
“Living Large!!”
03 – 06 October 2025

Games and fun at Pheno

Phenomenon is a non-profit roleplaying game convention: run by volunteers, with games designed and presented by our community.

The team (tabletop) games are the most traditional kind. Freeforms (LARPS) are live action games, more like improv theatre. The Triptych and Diptych are our showcase games: sets of three and two games that teams complete to compete to get their names on the perpetual trophies. But you can play any of them you want—they're pretty cool.

Chierokmeta, by Elliot Hickey He/They

Once upon a time, in a tower that brushed the sky, a powerful wizard faced the end of a long, regretful life. With no faith in mankind nor apprentice to carry on their legacy, they turned to magic, not to teach, but to create. They decided that they would craft a successor; not born but built. For years, the tower rocked with arcane energy as the wizard sought to forge life itself—something better than all that had been created before; something new. But life has a price. To create true life and a true, magical soul, the wizard realised that they must give up their own. Born in arcane fire, not one, but five strange little creatures stir where the wizard once stood—unfinished, imperfect, but alive. Born of spell and sorrow, they awaken in a tower full of riddles, relics, and one single locked door. To escape, they must understand the wizard’s final lessons and shape themselves into something more. Together or apart, guided or defiant—the choice is theirs.

Chierokmeta is a prop-driven role-playing adventure in which you and your companions become newly born homunculi—mystical constructs seeking identity, form, and freedom. Solve the puzzles of the wizard’s lab, perhaps even delve into what drove your creation, and mould yourself piece by piece into your own new being. But choose wisely: what you become will shape how, when, and if you leave the tower to join the world below.

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Triptych

How many players?

5

What's the game again?

homonculi trying to escape a wizard's tower, whilst also creating themselves at the same time

Seriousness?

3

Safety Tool

Physical gestures, as well as verbal tools.

Genre/Setting

D&D-esque Fantasy escape room and creature builder

System

Systemless, with puzzles

Movie Rating

PG-13 - minor themes of death, grief and loss

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The Fall of Kings, by Kell Shaw He/Him

The Royal Empire is dying. Fields lie fallow, untended by the thousands who never returned from the wars of conquest. The nobility feasts in gilded halls and mansions, while people starve in the streets. Beneath it all, a revolution simmers in the shadows.

A band of intellectuals and rebels steeped in the occult world receive a prophecy that foretells of the king’s assassination. The fate of an empire is in their hands. Will they save it, or burn it down?

A tabletop game of deadly intrigue, occult secrets, and revolution.

Five players. One crumbling empire. No easy choices.

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Triptych

How many players?

5

What's the game again?

The game will run a bit like a heist movie, in a sandbox environment with no predetermined ending. A group of individuals with different skills and powers will come together to either prevent an assassination, help it along, or do something completely different...

Seriousness?

4

Safety Tool

X Card

Genre/Setting

Fantasy

System

Custom. Everything will be provided to play.

Movie Rating

M

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POWER HEIST, by Evan Paliatseas They/Them/He/Him and Micah Paliatseas He/Him

Over half a century ago a cataclysmic event knows as the Geostorm erupted across the World resulting in natural disasters, as well as people gaining strange supernatural abilities. These abilities were linked to coming in contact with unique empowered Geodes. Many who did are instantly killed, but some, few, for reasons unknown, become changed, empowered. Destructive.

Use of the power can change the world, but over time, the energy retained by the geodes reduces, until finally, an empowered person runs out of the intrinsic potential, and the stone kills them.

Management of the new source of ability and the risks associated has been established by the United Nations Gem Control (UNGC), given licence to register all Geofused individuals and apply rules and restrictions to the obtaining and management of powered gems from the environment.

You are amongst the empowered: however you did not comply with the authorities. You didn't like the restrictions on your freedom that the UNGC and society at large would have imposed on you. There is far more you did with your abilities than is allowed, and you have lived a high life using your powers for your own benefit as you saw fit.

But now your powers wane. Your gems weaken. And you are left with only one choice. Well, two if you count dying. Break into the UNGC vault, and steal enough raw, contained Geodes to fuel your powers for the rest of your lives.

No one has ever succeeded in such an audacious act. You plan on being the first.

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Triptych

How many players?

4-5

What's the game again?

POWER HEIST

Seriousness?

4

Safety Tool

Time out, Lines and Veils content check

Genre/Setting

Super heroes / villains

System

Custom "Betrayal/Karma" mechanic, system-lite

Movie Rating

PG to M

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Untitled Goose Game: Multiplayer Edition, by Shan Thomson she/her/they

Ever wanted to be a terrible goose? Ever wanted to be a tiny terrible goose, with tiny terrible goose friends?

Take a waddle out on a casual afternoon stroll, see the sights, harass the townsfolk, and one-up your fellow waterfowl, on an adventure to be the best goose.... but probably should work together to do it.

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Diptych

How many players?

3-5

What's the game again?

Problem Solving and Problem Causing as a small goose.

Seriousness?

1

Safety Tool

Yellow Card

Genre/Setting

Modern Day, semi rural UK

System

Light & Simple bespoke Goose system

Movie Rating

G

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Zombies Ate My Pirate Ship, by Alicia Any

Far across the sea Zombies wait for me Craving brains and treasure It's their destiny Til my dying day Hear these words I say Zombies ate my pirate ship I will make them pay -Alestorm

For too long, the high seas have been plagued by the walking (and swimming) dead, devouring all wood, canvas, treasure and brains in their path.

You and your intrepid (ragtag) group of brave and adventurous (morally ambiguous) friends (of friends of friends of...) all have various grudges against these sea-zombies. And now you have a plan (you think), a ship (well, a 'ship'), and, most importantly, determination to deal with the zombies once and for all! (for a given value of once and for all)

A comedy horror game for 4 - 6 adventurers seeking revenge on the zombies who ate your pirate ships, using White Wolf's Adventure! system.

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Diptych

How many players?

4 - 6

What's the game again?

A group of adventurers seeking revenge on the zombies who ate their pirate ships.

Seriousness?

2

Safety Tool

Lines and Veils, X-Card

Genre/Setting

Comedy horror in the Golden Age of Piracy. Now with added zombies!

System

Adventure!

Movie Rating

PG - M (depending on group)

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Butterflies and Mirrors, by Daniel Ryan He/Him

In the past Humanity discarded its differences: race, nation, gender, along with money, and poverty. They reached for the stars, building spaceships to study the wonders of the universe and meet the strange and new. They banded together with other people from diverse stars and formed The United Federation of Planets.

A mirrors width away a different Earth made strength its only virtue, and power its only purpose. They built warships and conquered the stars, enslaved their neighbours and forged the Terran Empire.

The Crew of the Federation Starship the USS Bailiwick have been involved in an accident that caused some of them to switch places with their Mirror Universe counterparts. The previously united crew is now a mix of familiar strangers.

There is still a mission to complete. What caused the accident and how will everyone get back to their correct places, assuming they want to go back.

A Star Trek Mission for 5 Senior Officers. Familiarity with Star Trek will be helpful but not essential. System is TBD but no prior system knowledge will be needed. Content Warning: Unspecific dark pasts for some characters, and Fascism.

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Tabletop

How many players?

5

What's the game again?

5 Star Trek Officers are partially swapped with their Mirror Universe Evil Twins and have to Roleplay, Technobabble and Investigate their way out of it.

Seriousness?

4

Safety Tool

X-Card

Genre/Setting

Sci-Fi / Star Trek - Mirror universe shenanigans

System

TBD

Movie Rating

M

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Contact. Handshake. Heartbeat. - A Murderbot Story, by Shane Donohoe He/Him

The Corporation Rim is awful. It’s like someone took first year Intro Ethics and turned every lesson upside down. Constructs aren’t even people here. Well, they are, but people are only worth what you can extract from them. You can practically sell yourself into slavery if you’re not careful. Why are we even in this system?

Once we graduate…

Graduate! Once I get this fieldwork credit I’m never leaving Mihira

I just hate knowing a labour colony is not even ten klicks away, and we’re not doing anything to help.

How would you even approach them? Just walk up and say hi? They’d assume you were another Corporate, trying to scam them out of what little they have. And unless you can magically annul their contracts…

Well. Somebody should do something. Why doesn’t the University?

Maybe they are. The professors were awfully cagey when we discussed this earlier…

Haha sure. Can you imagine Dr K as an intrepid galactic adventurer?

  • Feed status: offline -

  • Telemetry: offline -

  • Autonav: fault detected. Reboot initiated. -

    Shit! Someone grab the controls!

  • Vehicle below safe reboot altitude. Crew assistance requested. -

    It’s not responding!

  • Autonav: offline. Rebooting. Please stand by. -

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Tabletop

How many players?

5

What's the game again?

Five students from the Pansystem University of Mihira and New Tideland found their final prac just got a whole lot more hands on.

Seriousness?

4

Safety Tool

Lines and Veils Script Change or X Card Extensive debrief

I would like to reconsider which specific mix suits the game as it gets closer to written. When do you need them locked in?

While we're at it, I'd put Seriousness at 3-5, depending what players ask for up front, and it can absolutely run as a beginner friendly.

Genre/Setting

Sci-fi in the vein of Murderbot or Tea Monk and Robot

System

System-lite

Movie Rating

M or MA

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DRAGON FORCE, IGNITE!, by Jake Nelson he/him

The realm is in peril, threatened by the evil cult known only as OBLIVION and its army of terrifying monsters. The bravest knights and mightiest sorcerers have proven powerless to stop OBLIVION's fell designs...

...but working in secret, a genius artificer has come up with a plan. Guided by visions of another world, she has forged five technomagical suits of armour linked to massive automata in the shape of dragons, and gathered a team of brave warriors with the strength of heart and purity of purpose to take the fight to OBLIVION!

BLAZING WITH RIGHTEOUS PASSION, RED DRAGON! THE STORM OF JUSTICE, BLUE DRAGON! FREEZING VILLAINY WHERE IT STANDS, WHITE DRAGON! THE CLEANSING ACID THAT SCOURS CORRUPTION, BLACK DRAGON! WITH VENOM THAT STRIKES AT THE HEART OF EVIL, GREEN DRAGON!

SCALE UP! DRAGON FORCE, IGNITE!!!

DRAGON FORCE, IGNITE! is a diceless game for three to five sentai heroes defending a fantasy realm from an evil organisation with the power of friendship and teamwork. Dramatic speeches and transformation hand gestures are mandatory. Management advises that on-site parking is not available for giant dragon robots.

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Tabletop

How many players?

3-5

What's the game again?

Sentai heroes defend a D&D world against an evil cult with the power of friendship and also dragon robots.

Seriousness?

1

Safety Tool

X-Card

Genre/Setting

D&D meets tokusatsu.

System

TBD (currently Henshin!)

Movie Rating

PG

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Excitement is Off the Menu, by Hugh Fisher

(If this sounds familiar, it was going to be at Pheno 2024, but I was ill.) The city of Quirm is being plagued by excitements, and the Duke is advertising for help in restoring Quirm's famed tranquility. This is a chance to make a name for yourself, or at least pay off your debts. And it's Quirm, how dangerous could it be? (Aside from the free-form hockey at the Quirm College for Young Ladies.)

A game to have fun playing your character: more Rincewind than Vimes. There is a story and a plot to uncover, but you don't have to. Violence is a last resort. Well, for most of you.

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Tabletop

How many players?

4-6

What's the game again?

Slightly out of their depth Ankh-Morpork citizens save the day in Quirm.

Seriousness?

2

Safety Tool

X-Card

Genre/Setting

Discworld, around the time of Going Postal.

System

GURPS as guidelines

Movie Rating

PG

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House of Flames, by Jo Rocke He/They

In modern New England, a wealthy eccentric obsessed with the supernatural, and his wife, have been building a strange mansion on the outskirts of town. The two have been slowly withdrawing from public life, and now the mansion is complete, they are complete shut-ins.

Six people receive invitations to come and celebrate the completion of the mansion. You're an unlikely guestlist: a local architect interested in how the mansion was built, a collector of oddities who is friends with the eccentric, an up and coming journalist seeking a scoop, the estranged son of the wealthy couple, a young medium bought along to meet the eccentric, and the wife's therapist.

However, you may be in for a night with more than just a strange old man to contend with.

This is a translated murder mystery from Japan, in a similar model to the "jubensha" trend which has exploded in China. This game is translated (relatively) closely to the source material. As such, it may feel a bit more linear than most games at Pheno. It's recommended to come into this game with an open mind, and focused on the experience of a game from a different culture.

This is very much a horror game with supernatural elements. Content warning for most things connected to violent deaths, blood, the supernatural and cults.

This game uses a system of cards, maps and conversations to tell it's story, but it is quite reading heavy. If you struggle with reading speed, please let the GM know ahead of the game to provide assistance where possible.

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Tabletop

How many players?

5-6

What's the game again?

A Japanese murder mystery where 6 people are thrust into a night in an eerie mansion with a mysterious owner.

Seriousness?

4

Safety Tool

Modified x-card system.

Genre/Setting

Murder Mystery/Horror

System

Mystery & Adventure Box system - a mix of cards, maps and (especially) conversations

Movie Rating

MA15+

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London, by Michael Hitchens he/him

London

I saw Dad again today. In the City. I mean, like, I see him every day. But this was different. Like the other time was different. He seemed more, I don’t know... alive? Like the other time.

It had to be him. He saw me this time. Said hello. Called me by name. Didn’t seem like he wanted me there, but parents, right?

I saw Mum there as well.

I don’t know if she saw us. I know Dad saw her. For some reason he didn’t call out.

Except it couldn’t have been them. Lucy said she was with them this afternoon. She even said she had photos.

My sister wouldn’t lie to me, right?

But if she didn’t, who the hell was that I was talking to?

A one-session systemless module by Michael Hitchens set in modern-day London (more or less)

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Tabletop

How many players?

5

What's the game again?

An average family forced to ask questions about the nature of their reality

Seriousness?

4

Safety Tool

safety gesture and safety corner

Genre/Setting

Science fiction (of a sort)

System

No system

Movie Rating

PG

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Love In The Air, by Wren Weatherwax They/Them and Fable Bruckard They/Them

You are all kobolds. You like shiny things, dragons, and baby dragon snuggles. You only have two out of three.

It’s time to fix that. How convenient that the Dragonheart Island annual Festival of the Blessed Nest is rapidly approaching, and love is in the air!

…Or it would be if the two resident dragons didn’t have the social skills of a lump of coal.

Talnis the Sun Scale and Arthrundar the Claw of the Ancients are great and powerful dragons. However, social interaction is not their specialty, despite how lonely both dragons have bemoaned themselves to be. Therefore it falls to you, their loyal kobolds, to get the stone rolling on a romance that will last the ages! And if such a romance should happen to lead to the greatest experience a kobold could ever hope to have, baby dragon snuggles?! All the more reason to give it a go!

All you have to do is travel across the island, infiltrate the lair of a mysterious sea beast, obtain one of its magical treasures as an appropriate courting gift, make it back out of the lair intact, and deliver said courting gift to one of the dragons to set up a date! Surely the fact that none of you have ever stepped foot outside your lair before won’t be an issue at all.

It’s time to put your best claw forward, dust off your matchmaking cap and get this romance off of the ground. This time next year, you’ll all be indulging in as many baby dragon snuggles as your little kobold hearts can handle!

Love in the Air is a game for 4-6 chaos-loving kobolds with well-meaning intentions and steadfast determination. Uses the Dungeons & Dragons 5e 2014 system.

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Tabletop

How many players?

4-6

What's the game again?

A group of chaotic kobolds band together to help their socially awkward dragons get a date for the upcoming festival.

Seriousness?

1

Safety Tool

X card/Time Out

Genre/Setting

Fantasy Comedy

System

Dungeons and Dragons 2014 5e System

Movie Rating

G

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MISRULE, by Joe McNamara He/Him

The year turns towards darkness. Cold winds blow autumn leaves through the concrete canyons of the city. Mortals dream strange dreams, and leave their lights on at night to protect themselves against threats they don’t understand. The owl statues watch the highway for prey, the Jack-o’-lanterns whisper to themselves, and the fairies and goblins of the Unseelie Court come scurrying up out of the shadows, bringing darker things in their wake.

It’s Samhain, and in accordance with the ancient pacts, the County Crown is about to pass from the well-manicured hands of the Seelie Count Amhladh ap Gwydion into the gnarled claws of the Unseelie Baron they call La Bete at the twice-annual County Ball. This is the height of Unseelie power; all across the city, changelings are hearing the call of their Unseelie sides, and some of them will listen.

Against this backdrop, you and your friends have received a message from a monster. You’ve had enough fun in the Autumn World, it says, but now it’s time to come home.

Don’t make me come up there.

MISRULE: A dark modern fantasy 2-session tabletop for 5 players.

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Tabletop

How many players?

5

What's the game again?

A dark modern fantasy 2-session tabletop for 5 players.

Seriousness?

3

Safety Tool

Hand signal that is the equivalent of an X-Card

Genre/Setting

Changeling: the Dreaming, but no setting knowledge is necessary

System

Optionally using the Changeling 20th Anniversary system, but no system knowledge necessary

Movie Rating

R

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Of Wands and Whiskers, by Michelle Ashman She/Her and Erik Kearns He/She/They

Many years ago, after the War of Sundering, a Powerful Shadow Wyrm was imprisoned in dol Ardin the Mountain of Dawnlight by five brave Mages and their stalwart Companion, using the mighty conjuring of the Enduring Seal.

Now every generation the Seal must be reforged lest the Wyrm break free. And so our story opens on the eve of the Ritual as five great Mages gather, not knowing the fate of the world would soon rest in the paws and claws of a very unusual set of heroes…

You will be playing a disparate group of Wizard's familiars who must decide whether to save their Wizards, the World or maybe just have a snack.

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Tabletop

How many players?

4-6

What's the game again?

A disparate group of wizard's familiars try to Save the World

Seriousness?

2

Safety Tool

X-Card

Genre/Setting

Classic Fantasy setting

System

D&D 5th ed

Movie Rating

PG

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Reboot! Just Another Day In Mainframe, by Random Jones He/Him

The day started out just like any other in Mainframe.

Bob was once again working on his car with Glitch; Enzo and Frisket were causing mischief at Mr Pearson's Data Dump; and both Phong and Dot were in the Principal Office working on the city budget. Meanwhile the Saucy Mare had just docked after time spent elsewhere on the Net and Captain Capacitor will be heading up to meet with Dot shortly.

In bad news Megabyte is about to launch his latest attempt to take over Mainframe, while Hack and Slash are both, unsuccessfully, trying to hide behind each other so that Megabyte doesn't see them.

The mad cackling laughter coming from Hexadecimal's Lair over at Lost Angles is probably best ignored.

All in all, just another day in Mainframe...

WARNING, INCOMING GAME!!!

Just Another Day In Mainframe is a tabletop for three to six members of the city of Mainframe, and is based on the 90s computer animated cartoon ReBoot!

If you've never seen ReBoot!, the first episode can be watched free of charge on YouTube, courtesy of Mainframe Studios, the production computer of ReBoot!: https://youtu.be/inKdUICLmXY?si=MYHy68jL16kjeX7w

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Tabletop

How many players?

3 to 6

What's the game again?

A bunch of computer sprites in a 90s computer animated kids cartoon trying to save the city from evil and get good ratings.

Seriousness?

2

Safety Tool

I use red/yellow/green cards, similar in effect to the X card.

Genre/Setting

Reboot! A 90s computer animated kids cartoon.

System

Systemless

Movie Rating

G - Contains cartoon violence

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The Search for the Hunt for the Quest for Something, by Adrian Overbury They/them

Legend tells of the Something, placed in the Vault of Somewhere back in the Way Back When by the People, for Reasons.

No, seriously, that's what Legend tells (when you get enough wheat beer into him, that is). The Something is powerful, terrible and awesome. The Something is myth, and the most desired object in all of creation. Wars have been fought over maps that claim to show its location. Blood has been shed, and lives lost, all in the name of an object that may or may not exist.

A group of five stout and brave companions set out on a Quest to find the Something. Their motivations were pure, and their eyes set on glory, sure that fortune favoured the bold. They never came back.

The local Lord - Lord Blackington Badstock - sent out a group of five to hunt them down before they could do it. They weren't exactly stout (except one, but that could just have been self-delusion), and they weren't brave, just well paid. They, too, never came back.

This is where you come in. You five are the only ones I could convince to listen to my story. Whether you are stout or brave is up to you - I honestly don't care. What's important is that you're listening, and I need your help keeping it out of the hands of Lord Badstock, or he will use its power to rule the world. You're my only hope.


The Search for the Hunt for the Quest for Something is a five player tabletop with uncertain destinations, ineffable motivations and inevitable betrayal.

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Tabletop

How many players?

5

What's the game again?

Five people of diverse backgrounds are brought together to find... Something. Or, failing that, the people who have gone looking for Something

Seriousness?

1

Safety Tool

X-Card

Genre/Setting

Fantasy...ish

System

No System

Movie Rating

PG

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Three Wizards Short, by Stu Barrow He/Him

"The politics of the university are so intense because the stakes are so low" - WS Sayre

Due to hilarious misadventure there are three vacancies on the Council of High Magic - and you can't be elected Archmage without a full Council.

As members of the Senior Eldritch Executive Recruitment committee, you must fill the vacancies with the most suitable candidates: the ones most likely to support your election as Archmage, to deal with random wizard shit, and to free up your own time by volunteering for stupid selection committees.

A game of academic politics for five very powerful, very petty wizards.

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Tabletop

How many players?

4-5

What's the game again?

Five petty academic wizards deal with petty academic politics and weird wizard shit, in committee.

Seriousness?

1

Safety Tool

X-card and OK/check in.

Genre/Setting

A high fantasy arcane university.

System

System-lite. Emergent narrative from story prompts on cards.

Movie Rating

PG to M depending on player group.

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WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME 3, by Gavin Lucan He/Him

Once you were part of a team. Thrown together by fate, and the threat of world ending annihilation, against all odds you emerged victorious and saved the day. You were heroes. But a heroes work is never done.

The Old Soldier. The Scrappy Kid. The Maverick Cop. The Elegant Driver. The Burnt Spy.

You soon learned there was no shortage of would-be conquerors and maniacs lurking in the shadows. For a time you travelled the world together, foiling evil plans, until the day you all shook hands and went your separate ways.

It's been 10 long years since that day. And now, somewhere in your house a phone is ringing, one that hasn't rung in all that time. An old threat has re-emerged, and your skills are once again needed. Will you answer the call?

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Tabletop

How many players?

3-5

What's the game again?

The 3rd in a series of increasingly over the top action movies.

(Note: The previous 2 films in the series are created during the session by the players.)

Seriousness?

2

Safety Tool

I'm more than happy to use the X card and Script Change. The plan is to ask players before the start what style and rating of game they'd like, though I think I've been running at Pheno long enough they'd know what I bring to the table.

Genre/Setting

The modern world. Well, a modern world that runs on action movie logic. Get to the chopper!

System

Never Stop Blowing Up, a hack of Kids on Bikes. (System knowledge not required.)

Movie Rating

M is the default, but that can change on player request.

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Wings of Hope, by Mike Walker He/Him

Wings of Hope “Each of us has a part in the healing of the world.” From a book by Marianne Williamson

In the year 2442, a new surge of super-powered beings emerges, unmatched in galactic history since the turmoil of the early twenty-first century. Some consider them to be heroes, others as threats to be eradicated. Computress (teen superheroine and heiress) has formed the Star Explorers, a youth group and safe haven for beings such as herself. They come to the aid of civilisations in need while exploring the outer frontiers of space.

The Star Explorers have discovered a world of beautiful winged humanoids, endangered by a mysterious plague. And yet, the dilemma is somehow connected to the tragic past of every team member. They must conquer their own inner fears before they have a chance at saving this precious world.

A look at stepping from darkness into light through friendship and hope.

A one session systemless tabletop for six teenaged superheroes Using a diceless version of first edition White Wolf Aberrant This is a prequel to the 2008 Star Explorers freeform and a sequel to 2018 Founding Members. Prior knowledge of either game is not needed to play this one.

Seriousness 4
Rules Knowledge 1 Genre 3 Characterisation 4 Adult Content: MA

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Tabletop

How many players?

6

What's the game again?

A group of teen superheroes dealing with emotional challenges while trying to save a world.

Seriousness?

4

Safety Tool

Discussion before game of potential triggers (sickness, death, teenage sex) and shifting the game if there are hard limits, drawing a curtain over some scenes, time out signal to pause the game and possibly discuss or leave the space.

Genre/Setting

GM designed sci-fi superhero setting

System

Diceless version of White Wolf original Aberrant rules

Movie Rating

MA

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The Word for World is Shoggoth, by Andrew Smith he/him and Xole Karman she/her

Small, cheap, hungry – that’s the subcontractor cargo hauler USCSS Metropole and her misfit crew, still two months from drydock at Conrad Colony and running on empty.

The Skipper takes a call from Taurus Triplanetary Corporation’s sector manager. She says, TTC’s Bradbury Research Station on nearby LV-2187 has gone dark, and there’s a contract to go find out what went wrong – and a fat performance bonus if the Metropole can ‘solve’ it. The usual suspects are wagered: Accident. Competition. Piracy. Psychosis. Encounter.

LV-2187 ‘Shoggoth’: eight months out from Earth in the galaxy’s blank spaces. Originally mis-surveyed as a lifeless iceball, ancient red-litten Shoggoth is rich in metal ores and carries a rudimentary ecosystem. Two years ago TTC sent Bradbury Station from Conrad to survey the planet. But these things never go smooth, right?

The contract is the Metropole’s last chance to avoid bankruptcy and repossession by TTC. Her crew have other motives besides: to settle old scores with company rivals; to find riches or fame or live a little large for once; to find missing loved ones; or just …to live.

The Skipper says do it fast, do it neat, and don’t blow up the installation. There are bonuses at stake, people!

In the fringes of the Alien-verse. A certified xenomorph- and predator-free zone. But in the emptiness of space there lurk other horrors, external or …internal.

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Tabletop

How many players?

4 to 5

What's the game again?

A small freelance spaceship crew investigates why a planetside research station has gone dark.

Seriousness?

4

Safety Tool

OK Check-in

Genre/Setting

Non-canon Alien franchise with different encounters – and choices. Hints of Stross, Campbell, Le Guin, and/or Lem.

System

System lite or mutated TEETH (a Blades in the Dark subsidiary)

Movie Rating

MA15 to R, depending on player preferences. Potential for body horror, psychological horror, survival horror and/or horror vacui.

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Broken Promises, by Random Jones He/him

The feud between the two families had lasted hundreds of years, so long that the history books no longer recorded what had caused it. Both families insist the other's ancestors had insulted their ancestors in a manner most vile, and they would not let it rest until apology was given.

And yet, all things must come to an end. It has been decreed that peace must reign in these lands, and to that end marriage has been arranged between the son of one house and the daughter of the other. Finally, two great houses divided by enmity will be united in holy matrimony.

Today is the day, most auspicious for such an occasion, when the vows will be made. But also, today is the day where both the bride and groom have disappeared.

Loud voices on all sides throw accusations and threats, but peace, true peace was the goal! Who would do such a thing, to allow this horrible war to continue, when both sides had made their oaths that this was to be?

Who is responsible for these broken promises?

-- Broken Promises is a freeform for (number) of important members of society locked in the grand hall while others search for traces of the missing dignitaries. And if some of of the all important social aspects of such an occasion happen anyway, while in that grand hall? It is, after all, not often that people of such calibre have time on their hands...

Setting is generic historical fantasy, so extravagant costuming of any historical period or fantasy setting is strongly encouraged.

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Freeform

How many players?

Probably 18 to 24, but I'm not sure yet.

What's the game again?

The Very Important People of the Realm who are supposed to be at a wedding, and are instead locked in the grand hall while people search for the missing bride and groom.

Seriousness?

4

Safety Tool

Probably X card

Genre/Setting

Generic historical fantasy

System

Systemless

Movie Rating

M, contains adult themes

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Cyberpunk 2097: Buying the Future, by Sean Allsop He/Him and David James He/Him

Arasaka Corporation invites you to the Oceania Future Tech Expo - 2097!

Download the flyer to this amazing event Here!

Arasaka looks forward to seeing you all at Darling Harbour for an amazing show!

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Freeform

How many players?

18

What's the game again?

A group of Corporate reps and inventors wheeling and dealing at a tech investors conference, all aiming to take potentially world changing ideas and monetize them for their own profit.

Seriousness?

3

Safety Tool

X-Card

Genre/Setting

This is a freeform set in the Cyberpunk universe, specifically 20 years after the events of the Cyberpunk 2077 video game. Knowledge of either will help, but will not be essential.

System

Freeform, System-lite, custom

Movie Rating

M - minor themes regarding grief/death, low-level violence.

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The Dreaming of Daramalan, by Kristine Hertel She/Her and Jake Fischer He/Him

The year is 2025, and you're looking to head back to your bed for some small measure of sleep after your last Pheno session of the day. But things seem to be going slightly awry in Daramalan College. Doors are closing and locking in odd ways, your phone was left behind in one of your other game rooms when you're sure it was just in your pocket, and the air con has gone into another language that you don't read whilst cranking out the wrong temperature! It seems to make it home this year, you might have to get… creative. Something is not ready for the games to end so soon, and you are the unlucky stragglers who left last and are now trapped in the role of “players” in one final game. The trek to the exit just might be harder than you originally planned... and you're all outta your caffeinated beverage.

The Dreaming of Daramalan is a custom low mechanics survival horror/mystery free-form for up to 30 players, set in a fictional version of Phenomenon. Your goal as players (both in and out-of-character) is simple: escape from Daramalan College.

However, escape may not be as easy as first imagined. Whatever has trapped you in the school, whatever this “thing” actually is, it’s obviously not interested in letting the players of its fun new game leave so easily. Gameplay primarily involves interacting with the strange, warped aspects of the college in an attempt to find a viable exit, and negotiating with “the thing” that has trapped you - whilst simultaneously trying to not invoke its anger. Further puzzles, roleplay, and shenanigans shall of course ensue!

Costuming is highly encouraged - it helps the thing watching you know exactly what role you should be given.

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Freeform

How many players?

10-30

What's the game again?

Players as players trying to escape Daramalan College.

Seriousness?

4

Safety Tool

Safety briefing will be done at start with signals that can be used, such as X, Timeout, ok check-in/chicken of consent, and "no" being a complete answer

Genre/Setting

Survival Horror escape "room"

System

Systemless

Movie Rating

M - Supernatural/Horror themes, coarse language

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The Finding of Ilwuz, by Aaron Holding He/They

Ilwuz: The Island of Mystery. For years, the last haven of freedom and independence in the Dome has remained safe, hidden from others by moving throughout the 7 Skies, mystically teleporting to a new location in the 7 Skies every 49 days. It now appears that someone, Inconceivably!, has found a way to determine which of the Skies holds the elusive cloud island. Action must be taken! An urgent Congress has been called to determine what action should be taken. The senior crews of the Phantom Cruiser and Redbeard’s Revenge, the two ships in port, plus a collection of traders from Port Gulliver are now deciding the course of action to end this impending peril, for all those who wish to follow. The Finding of Ilwuz: a raucous 'meeting' for 15 Pirates and Traders, just trying to keep their free lives free and make a dishonest living.

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Freeform

How many players?

15

What's the game again?

A bunch of Pirates and other reprobates 'calmly discussing' how to keep their lives the way they want them.

Seriousness?

2

Safety Tool

OK Check-in

Genre/Setting

Swashbuckling (somewhere between "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Stardust")

System

Swashbucklers of the 7 Skies, adapted for Freeform

Movie Rating

PG

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Reclaiming Home, by Ingrid Bean she/her

*This game is set 18 years after the events of Seeking Refuge, but no knowledge of that game is required to enjoy this one.

This is a game about family. This is a game about humanity. But this is also a game about anger, about displacement, about restitution: and about what lengths you are willing to go to to reclaim your home. And it might also be a game about hope.

The Valley was once a peaceful place: lush fields, thick forests, clear-running streams.

The people of the Valley were happy: accepted for who they are, they loved whom they chose.

Those from outside the Valley were welcomed: trade was regular; there was plenty to share.

Then the Regime came: with their muskets, and their cannons, and their need for conquest.

The Regime is an autocratic, patriarchal, close-minded force, desiring only to own, to control, to dominate.

They’ve occupied the Valley for the last 18 years.

In their hunger for dominion, the Regime has plundered the natural resources of the Valley and subjugated its people.

The Resistance have fought against the occupation all these years, and are nearly ready to strike the final blow.

The Reclaimers fled the Valley when the Regime came, but now they have returned to take back what they lost.

The Regime are getting tired, holding contested territory for so long takes its toll.

Now is the time to rise up. Now is the time to reclaim home.


Reclaiming Home is a freeform for 12 people from the three factions, all claiming the Valley as home, who come together on a day that will determine the fate of the Valley. Will they recognise their shared humanity and forge a path to peace, or will the need for domination and retribution result in the destruction of everything they hold dear?


Content Note (CN): This game references post-natal psychosis, miscarriage and death of children, cultural persecution, transphobia, homophobia, sexual assault, terrorism and genocide. We commit to explore these issues in a safe environment with sensitivity and supportiveness.

Pheno game ratings
Game Type

Freeform

How many players?

12

What's the game again?

When three factions meet, will they recognise their shared humanity and forge a path to peace, or will their need for domination and retribution result in the destruction of everything they hold dear?

Seriousness?

5

Safety Tool

The OK Check-In

Genre/Setting

Serious personal/political/drama set in a fictional, vaguely European, pre-industrial revolution, world.

System

Systemless

Movie Rating

MA15+

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