Chalkdown

Concept: “To most in the upper echelons of Cy, this saviour is a myth. But still those under-blocks that it inhabits and pollutes are left alone, and those who live close revere it as a watchful penitent god, to whom those who sin must be taken.”

Content: A mythical vehicle of righteous vengeance and its acolytes.

Writing: Descriptions and NPC stats oozing with classic British grimdark sci-fi flavor.

Art/Design: Two two-page spreads, one of which resembles a set of propaganda posters on a wall, and the other sports a large illustration of the landship messiah rolling down a street amid its followers. 

Usability: High-contrast text with consistent distinctions of content blocks, headings/labels, and types of content.

Concept: “A 120-meter-tall monster emerges from the waters around Cy. Its behavior baffles scientists and officials; it isn’t hunting or nesting, it just moves.”

Content: A scenario for surviving the onslaught of an unstoppable roving apocalypse.

Writing: Focused, direct descriptions of a wide range of relevant factors (from available subplots to environmental obstacles to military actions) provide GMs with an immersive adventure/experience for their players.

Art/Design: Current ashcan edition has a simple, barebones layout subject to change when more art assets are finalized. 

Usability: Different kinds of content are immediately distinguishable, high-contrast fore/ground colors assist accessibility, and navigation through the document is incredibly easy.

Concept: “You are an ape ‘gifted’ with human intellect. The experimentation you went through to get here gave you perspective on many things; mortality, pain, the self, ideology. Mostly, it just made you realize how evil humans can be.”

Content: A class for those whose vengeful rage is more augmented than their uplifted intelligence.

Writing: Class details are concise and evocative of the myriad permutations of modification and torture that could result in a charater.

Art/Design: Two-page spread layout displayed around an illustration of a simian experiment, with text styled as crisply organized research documentation. 

Usability: Consistent presentation of class details facilitate quick navigation and accessible reading, with occasional bold or underlined text for emphasis.

Concept: “It was nothing like they advertised; there were no off-world colonies, no bold unknown, no strange new worlds–only more cramped corridors and self-devouring consumerism in the name of the tourist industry. And then one night SOMETHING shocked the shuttle systems, and you began floating in a most peculiar way…”

Content: A class for those who were changed in irrevocable, horrifying ways when they walked among the stars–and who are now shackled to the earth once again.

Writing: Vivid, evocative descriptions of features and mechanics are both illuminating and unsettling in the best way.

Art/Design: Two two-page spreads with class details and a set of alien infestations, with white text on dark background throughout. An image of a void-warped freefaller emphasizes the cosmic horror at the core of this class and the effect it has on the character.

Usability: Easy to navigate, read, and comprehend, with key components visually embellished for identification of their significance and purpose.