top of page
HoaMaiVector_brown_edited.png
HoaMaiVector_brown_edited_edited.png
FINAL ART FOR PROJECTOR.png

SMOKESTACK SPIRITS

RPG Design

Enter the world of Smokestack Spirits, a steampunk tabletop RPG for 3–5 players featuring tactical combat, rich lore, and a unique companion system. Explore Carcora, a city in an alternate industrial age where spirits, once feared and worshiped, are now harnessed through technology. As spirits rise to ally with select humans, Carcora responds with spirit-powered mechs. You and your companion decide how to navigate the conflicts of this evolving world! 

RPGIcon.png
Steampunk
DurationIcon_teal.png
Nov - Dec 2024
ContributionIcon_teal.png
Game UX, Character Sheet, Playtesting

Our Team | SkyJackal Games

What's Next?

Developing "Smokestack Spirits" enhanced my understanding of game design and the importance of collaboration. The character sheet's design required a balance of aesthetics and functionality to create an intuitive player experience. Collaborating with a diverse team underscored the importance of clear communication and integrating varied perspectives.
 
While there are no plans to continue development, future efforts could focus on balancing mechanics through extensive playtesting to ensure an engaging experience.

CHARACTERS

HoaMaiVector_brown_edited_edited.png

Spirit/Mech Companions

Alongside custom characters players can create, they can also select a spirit/mech companion for their adventure. Companions may belong to different factions, leading to conflicting values and unique role-play opportunities. Our team developed these companions together, with the concept art done by Dylan Loose.

firbola.png
Firbola | Spirit

A devoted sprite of Dirgur, the Firbola adopts Carcora's technology to enhance its destructive abilities, using a shoulder-mounted cannon to amplify its fiery powers or substituting bullets when its natural ignitions are insufficient.

undine_downscale.png
Undine | Spirit

A spirit of water who blesses those she favors, and curses those she doesn’t. Undine represents a derelict domain of Mukaba and drifts through the realm of a deity who has forgotten his origins. 

simulacrum.png
Spirit Simulacrum | Hybrid

The Spirit Simulacrum, The Living City's sole creation, is powered by the human spirit, enhancing the user's mortal body. It mechanically mimics nature, existing beyond both technology and spirit.

drillcrab.png
Sentient Drillcrab | Mech

The drillcrab, a spiritless machine powered by an AI core akin to a mechanical soul, is built by Arkwright Industries. As a perfect apostle to Mukaba, it refines his gifts for Carcora.

hive.png
The Hive | Mech

A single spirit, divided into three mechs, that lost its individuality. Initially commissioned for military use, Arkwright repurposed them for factory work upon their production.

HoaMaiVector_brown_edited.png
HoaMaiVector_brown_edited.png
HoaMaiVector_brown_edited_edited.png

Character Sheet

This is the character sheet that I developed for players to customize their characters and select the companion they want to have accompany them on their fateful journey.

CharacterSheet_annotated.png

Sample Character Sheet Created by Jennifer Mai (me)

  1. Player Basic Info: name, class, experience points, faction, and armor class

  2. Player Level: Can increase using experience points earned after each play session

  3. Player Health: decreases during battle

  4. Player Skills: Skill points and specializations are assigned by class and player can distribute points where they want in each skill subset

  5. Player Values: Player can pick 3 values associated with their class

  6. Player Equipment: Start with 100 coins and a special starter equipment based on the player class (i.e. Tinkerer class gets a Potion Set)

  7. Companion Basic Info: name, faction, & species

  8. Companion Stress: When companion's stress maxes out, it becomes unusable. Depending on Damage Class, you can reduce its stress.

  9. Companion Abilities: Skills or attacks companion can use to aid player in battle/roleplaying events

  10. Companion Relief: Sooth/repair companion in battle or make roleplaying choices that align with your companion to reduce stress level.

SELL SHEET

HoaMaiVector_brown_edited_edited.png

Smokestack Spirits is a cooperative tabletop RPG for 3-5 players, ages 13 and up, blending fast-paced tactical combat with a rich, evolving narrative. Set in the industrial city of Carcora, players partner with spirits to navigate conflicts in a world where technology and the supernatural collide. This game offers a deeply immersive experience shaped by player choices.

Screenshot 2025-02-04 at 6.01.55 PM.png

Sell Sheet, designed by Kendra Dunsmoor

bottom of page