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!
Steampunk
Nov - Dec 2024
Game UX, Character Sheet, Playtesting
Team | SkyJackal Games
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Jennifer Mai (me) -- UX/UI Designer
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Lily Swift -- Mechanics & System Designer
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Solomon Richards -- Narrative & Character Designer
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Joe Cowman -- Games Designer
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Dylan Loose -- Concept Art and Visual direction
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Kendra Dunsmoor -- Games Designer
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
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 | 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 | 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sample Character Sheet Created by Jennifer Mai (me)
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Player Basic Info: name, class, XP, faction, & armor class
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Player Level: Increase using XP earned after each play session
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Player Health: decreases during battle
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Player Skills: Skill points and specializations are assigned by class. Players can distribute points in each skill subset
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Player Values: Adds flavor and action restrictions
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Player Equipment: Start with 100 coins and starter equipment based on class (i.e. Tinkerer class gets a Potion Set)
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Companion Basic Info: name, faction, & species
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Companion Stress: Companion is unusable when stress maxes out. Players can reduce stress depending on their Damage Class.
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Companion Abilities: Companion skills or attacks to aid players in battle/roleplaying events
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Companion Relief: Sooth/repair companion in battle or make roleplaying choices that align with your companion to reduce stress level.
SELL SHEET
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.
Sell Sheet, designed by Kendra Dunsmoor
