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. Inspired by Arcane and Bioshock Infinite, players explore an alternate industrial age where spirits, once feared and worshiped, are now harnessed through technology. As spirits rise to ally with select humans, the city of Carcora responds with spirit-powered mechs. You and your companions must decide how to navigate the conflicts of this evolving world!
I developed the character sheet, some of the companions, and contributed to playtests to refine the game.
Steampunk
Nov 2024 - Dec 2024
Game UX, Character Sheet, Playtesting
Our Team | SkyJackal Games
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Jennifer Mai (me) -- UX Designer, Character Sheet, & Playtesting
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Lily Swift -- Game Mechanics & System Design
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Solomon Richards -- Story, Lore, Abilities, and Narrative Design
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Joe Cowman -- Overall Game Design, Playtesting, and Balancing
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Dylan Loose -- Concept Art and Visual direction
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Kendra Dunsmoor -- Playtesting and Sell Sheet
What's Next?
Developing "Smokestack Spirits" enhanced my understanding of game design and collaboration. Designing the character sheet's user interface required balancing aesthetics and functionality for an intuitive player experience. Collaborating with a diverse team underscored the importance of clear communication and integrating varied perspectives.
While there are no current plans to continue development, future efforts should focus on balancing mechanics through extensive playtesting to ensure a smooth and engaging player 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, experience points, faction, and armor class
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Player Level: Can increase using experience points 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 and player can distribute points where they want in each skill subset
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Player Values: Player can pick 3 values associated with their class
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Player Equipment: Start with 100 coins and a special starter equipment based on the player 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: When companion's stress maxes out, it becomes unusable. Depending on Damage Class, you can reduce its stress.
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Companion Abilities: Skills or attacks companion can use to aid player 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
