Let me start out with a content warning: if you are squeamish about body horror, contracting diseases, or the term "moist," this is not the game for you.
The Stone-Flesh Gift was born from the mind of Jordan Boschman and utilizes the Mothership Sci-Fi System by Tuesday Knight Games. But instead of excavating dangerous derelict (METAL) spacecraft, this spacecraft, The Gift...is alive. And the best way to board it, is through the docking umbilical.
When I discussed the game with some friends, their comments encapsulated its essence perfectly.
"Hey, you know mechs? What about that, but IN REVERSE."
"This looks rather... violating..."
As mentioned, this game isn't for everyone. Nevertheless, let's delve deeper and dissect its core elements.
The Stone-Flesh Gift is a 40-page, light-prep TTRPG module emphasizing exploration and body horror. Players navigate the innards of a living, alien ship, the Gift, striving to avoid perils, unveil its secrets, and directly connect their brains to its organs to sense its thoughts.
The artwork in the book is outstanding, maintaining the Mothership vibe with a retro surrealism art style featuring twisted lines and a warped perspective. It's not "gory" in the traditional sense; the unsettling atmosphere is woven into the setting and Jordan's carefully chosen words.
In this world, everything players interact with is alive. Through neurolinks—thin yet muscular tendrils attached to walls or organic machinery—players can connect with most "organs" in the Gift. These tendrils stretch and twitch, attaching a small sucker to the back of a passing creature's neck, linking directly into its nervous system. The neurolink provides insight into the Gift's inner impulses and needs, offering a fantastic roleplaying opportunity for the group.
The module presents five options beneath most linked organ since Mothership uses only d10s. Which I forgot for a moment and was like add another one so I can roll a d6! But I digress.
I've grown excited to try this module despite initial reservations. While initially hesitant, the game seemed uncomfortable. Yet, I couldn't get it out of my mind. Then, I finally watched the first cut scene in Baldur's Gate with the Mind Flayer ship and its organic components, the desire to run this adventure grew to me planning stuff.
It is undeniably uncomfortable and necessitates safety mechanics, but I believe The Stone-Flesh Gift can be an amazing addition to any horror table and a perfect one shot. There's no punishment for linking, and exploration is encouraged.
The crowdfunding campaign for the print run starts February 1st and ends February 29th, 2024. It can be found here: https://crowdfundr.com/stonefleshgift
The book will feature:
* 24 organs, most with unique thoughts and feelings
* 12 creatures, hazards, and NPCs
* 10 diseases and a system to spread them
* 23 items and materials, along with recipes for most of them
* a d100 I Search the Body... table
* a custom ship manifest for the Gift
* rules for running and repairing the ship's life support, flight controls, FTL capabilities, and digestion
Until Feb. 13th, 2024 you can win a proof print copy of the game! Check out the details here: https://x.com/JayEmBosch/status/1741540430569693566?s=20
Disclaimer:
All reviews provided on this platform are conducted voluntarily during my personal free time. I want to make it clear that I do not receive any compensation or financial incentives for the reviews posted here. These reviews are solely based on my personal experiences and opinions. I am not affiliated with any companies or products mentioned in the reviews, and the views expressed are my own. The purpose of these reviews is to share insights and information with the community. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me.