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

NB: Sadly this game has been withdrawn. Pheno is sorry for any inconvenience.

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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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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

Triptych

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 homebrew

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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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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