[Q&A] ELH Mk 1 (Mermaids of the Depths 2e)

[7:30 PM]ELH: Hello hello! My name is ELH. I’m a published writer under the Michael D. Cinder pen name, as well as a streamer and the lead writer, programmer, and founder of an indie video game studio. Today I’d like to talk about Mermaids of the Depths – Second Edition (MotD), an updated ruleset for the 2d20 system that I released in 2023. The system and setting started as a 2d12 system in 2019 inspired by a trio of rolls on one of the many “24-Hour RPG Roll Charts” that are floating around the internet. My particular rolls were “Mermaids”, “Transhumanism”, and “Cosmic Horror”, which proved a fun challenge to wrangle together! This is a post-post-apocalypse setting, where the Earth has survived a massive comet storm that turned the world into something straight out of Kevin Reynold’s Waterworld (1995). Humanity clung to life, and in the process of rebuilding society turned inwards to rebuild themselves. Those living in and around the ocean exist in cyborg frames that push the boundaries of transhumanism, while also being mermaid-like in design. Hence why one of the leading taglines for this game is “GHOST IN THE SHELL meets WATERWORLD“! I ran a brief, successful Kickstarter in 2020 for the 2d12 system. However, I always dreamt of porting the system to Modiphius’ 2d20 system since I know their Star Trek Adventures and Fallout 2d20 systems like the back of my hand. Luckily for me, Modiphius opened up their Community Content Program: 2d20 World Builders! The first edition of Mermaids of the Depths came out in early 2023. It was, admittedly, a rather rough conversion that I wasn’t 100% satisfied with. That’s why, when Star Trek Adventures – Second Edition came out and “updated” the ideas and mechanics around the base 2d20 system, I knew I had to update Mermaids of the Depths as well! The Second Edition of Mermaids of the Depths is available right now on DriveThruRPG. You get core rules for Group Play (At least 1 Player and a GM) as well as rules for Solo Play. Extra goodies include macros for Foundry VTT and a teaser copy of Abyssal Unknown, the tie-in novel that covers the in-universe events that take place between 1st and 2nd edition. https://legacy.drivethrurpg.com/product/531266/Mermaids-of-the-Depths–Second-Edition (Done!)

[Q&A] Darrell Hardy (Beneath the Pyramid’s Shadow)

[7:30 PM]Darrell: Howdy! I’m writer and game designer Darrell Hardy, here today to talk about Beneath the Pyramid’s Shadow, which is a micro-setting zine for the Savage Worlds RPG system. Beneath the Pyramid’s Shadow is a modern-day cosmic horror apocalypse: the world hasn’t ended yet, but it’s started to totter towards collapse. It’s up to the heroes to hold back the darkness as long as they can by protecting the innocent, fighting cultists and monsters, and unraveling the mystery of the massive pyramid that now looms forever on the eastern horizon. (done)