Muckraker RPG in Playtest

For a little over the year, I have used this blog to explore science fiction scenarios. The short fiction format of these posts allow me to play with a wide variety of ideas and overtime I have started to get a sense of a “Muckrakerverse,” a world of science fiction whimsy populated by mild-mannered Alien […]

Crisis of Faith

Written by Sp’Rark, Cultural Editor of the Martian Muckraker Nothing shook the religious foundations of Ancient Mars more than the discovery of Earthlings. For generations Martians regarded Mars as an Oasis in an otherwise uninhabited universe. Then scientists started hearing the transmissions from Earth. Two planets, Mars and Earth. Practically sisters. Each oblivious to the […]

Facing Fate Core

Many RPGs are known for their tomes and tomes of rules. The recent Pathfinder Player’s Handbook runs 600 pages (and I can’t wait to dive into my copy!) This allows the game designers to craft and simulate a detailed and fascinating world, and provide lots of meat for players to strategize with. There is a […]

Micro RPGs

Many people think of tabletop roleplaying games as requiring books and books of rules. However in recent years, there has been interest in rules-light systems. The limit case of this is the Micro-RPG or One-Page RPG. A Micro-RPG can cover its rules in four-pages or less and is designed when players want a quick-and-easy game […]

The Invisible Man

“Adrian’s true genius was how he got in people’s heads . . .” The Invisible Man will be one of many movies hitting digital release early due to the quarantines sweeping the US. I was lucky that my little brother encouraged me to see it before the Covid-19 crisis was on either of our radars. […]

G-Forces

“Hello Muckrakers, this is Technology & Space Cruiser Reporter Sp’Rark!” “And this is Editor-In-Chief C’therax!” “And this sweet ride is the new and improved NeonNebula Optimex!” Sp’Rark said. “AHHHHHHHHH!!!” As Sp’Rark said the name of the starship, she fired its fusion thrusters, causing a sudden and heavy wave of G-forces to crash into C’therax. “CUT!” […]

Under a Foreign Sky

Many Earthlings recently had their people’s celebration of Fathers. That inspired our own Sp’Rark to reflect on hers. When I was little, my father and I would go under the stars and trade stories. Favula’s sky was a painting of heroes and monsters. Dad taught me them all . . . their names, their tales, […]

Roleplaying Games Besides Dungeons And Dragons . . .

Dungeons and Dragons is to roleplaying, what Kleenex is to tissues. Some people think that ALL roleplaying is Dungeons and Dragons. Dungeons and Dragons was the first tabletop RPG and the 5th Edition is one of the best designed tabletop RPGs out there. It’s incredibly easy for new players to learn, but still has enough […]

Military Standoff Ignited by Space Station Social Media

Students were asked to stay away from the student center of the University of Northern Mars today as several hundred refugees were expected to meet there to receive services from doctors, psychiatrists, religious leaders and immigration experts. By the days’ end every doctor we spoke to looked exhausted and even a little worried. Earlier this […]

The Milky Way’s Master of Horror

When I was younger, my parents always knew I was reading the Craters in the Heart series because whenever I finished one of In’cizor Ironcold’s books all my musical compositions would feel like the soundtrack for a blood-splattered budget flick for a solid two months following. Eventually good ‘ol mum and dad insisted I read […]