Triptych & Diptych games
“Living Large!!”
03 – 06 October 2025
Triptych (trip-tick), n. A picture or carving on three panels able to fold over the centre; a set of three associated works so placed esp. as a centre piece; a set of three writing tablets hinged or tied together; a set of three artistic works; such used as an altar piece; a treatise in three parts.
Diptych (dip-tick), n. A picture or carving as above, except one of the panels has been nicked.

Each year Pheno invites respected designers to present bespoke single-session games: a trio of more serious games (the Triptych) and a duet of lighter, more humorous games (the Diptych).

These games have tended to be system-light (emphasising characterisation and drama over rules use and tactical simulation), and showcase what we consider the best of Pheno roleplaying: characterisation, genre, entertainment, innovation.

Players and teams can enter each game by itself and the games will be judged separately, but complete teams finishing all three games of the Triptych will also be eligible for the Triptych Perpetual Trophy. Teams finishing both Diptych games will be eligible for the Diptych Perpetual Trophy.

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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