So, Directness is the Day 18 prompt for the RPGaDAY 2026 Challenge. One of the organizers asked on their Facebook post to be direct if we were enjoying the challenge. Enjoying the challenge is a yes. But the prompts… leave a lot to be desired. I should be leaving this for the after-action report, but when I see a prompt, my mind immediately thinks of the most common response to it. And sure enough, when I browse some of the other entries for inspiration I see “yea, guessed that one, and that, and that one as well.”
Don’t get me wrong. Having organized an event like this with the Character Creation Challenge every January, I can appreciate what the organizers go through. Setting the schedules, creating graphics, acquiring language translations, getting the word out by social media, blog posts, and message boards. It’s not a small task. I tip my hat to the organizers for pulling this off for so long. I’ve only been doing this challenge for five years and it’s been running since 2014. I admit the possibility that the organizers have seen a lot of RPG prompts and are trying to shake things up. So, I’ll give them props to try something new.
I just felt like I’m coming up with my own prompts this year. And that has added to my uncertainty about completing the challenge. It’s hard to plan for research, obtain art, confirm references, etc. I’m quite literally doing this on the fly. And while leaving this to the muse sitting on my shoulder is interesting, and had some unique entries, I don’t want to abuse my muse. (hey that rhymes) Especially when the specter of real-life duties pops it’s head up.
I like to order my RPG products directly from the publisher/manufacturer whenever possible. I’ve also gone into my favorite local gaming stores to ask if they can order my books directly from the publisher. Some have found it difficult to connect directly with the game companies. I’d like to encourage the publishers to make it easy for local game stores to take care of their customers. I’d like to get future books through them as well when possible. Repeating buyers mean more sales for the manufacturers.
Do you have any more feedback on this or any of my other RPGaDAY entries? Tell me about it. This article is open for discussion on the TardisCaptain dot Com Discord server. You can also email me at Carl (at) TardisCaptain.com or click on my social media links with any comments.
We’ve reached Day 17 of the RPGaDAY 2026 Challenge and I had to bounce a few ideas off the wall before I could come up with something for the prompt of “Intensity”. And since it’s a Monday, we also get a new weekly prompt of “Instinct”. The poem brings us back to “Fair of Face” which still doesn’t help.
SECURITY REPORT: Social media tracers blocked: 100%, non-authorized advertising blocked: 97%, authenticity hash confirmed. Please see the disclaimer at the end.
Electronic Pamphlet loaded:
Welcome to the Integrated Networked Tenth City, or as it’s known by our many happy residents IN-10-CITY. “Where Tomorrow Arrived Yesterday.”
Why choose IN-10-CITY to live, work or play?
99.7% Crime-free (certain districts excluded from calculation)
Predictive Transit System. Our intuitive transportation network knows where you’re going before you do! (Passengers choosing alternative destinations may incur a routing adjustment fee)
Small Apartments. Every residence comes equipped with: Climate control, nutritional monitoring, mood optimization, corporate-approved entertainment, and passive loyalty assessment.
Dynamic Personal Advertising. No more irrelevant commercials! Our patented algorithms tailor every advertisement specifically to your hopes, dreams, fears, and insecurities.
Featured Attractions Include:
The Neon Mile. Over 17 kilometers of restaurants, clubs, shopping, immersive experiences and legally distinguishable gambling all open 24/7/365.
Executive Gardens. A beautiful green space available to all citizens with Platinum status or higher.
Historical Plaza. Commemorating the first nine prototype cities. Please do not inquire what happened to cities four, six or eight.
The Augmentation District. Upgrade your life with: New eyes, new lungs, new memories, new personality packages and more.
-New Resident Benefits. Upon arrival, every citizen receives: A digital identity, a municipal tracking implant, a complementary transit pass, one free personality assessment, and coupons for participating cybernetic vendors.
Sports Franchises:
IN-10-CITY is represented by all the major corporate leagues with new arenas constructed every five years. Representing our metropolis is:
IN-10-CITY Voltage (Cyberball League)
Overclockers of IN-10-City (Professional eSports League)
IN-10-CITY Revenants (Combat Drone Racing)
Pulse HC (Urban Hoverball Association)
IN-10-CITY Titans (Powered Exoskeleton League)
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Is the city safe? A: Absolutely! IN-10CITY’s predictive policing algorithm identifies potential threats before they occur. Most of the time.
Q: Will I be monitored? A: Only for: security, convenience, customer satisfaction, city planning, public safety, optimization and quality assurance.
Q: Can I opt out? A: No.
Q: What if I get lost? A: You won’t. Our navigation network tracks your location continuously.
Q: Can I turn off location tracking? A: You seem confused.
Listen to some of these residential testimonials-
“I arrived with nothing but ambition and dreams. I now have six subscriptions and three corporate sponsors.” –Happy Resident #447291
“The city always knows where I am.” –Happy Resident #225103
“I never felt more connected.” –Citizen currently under investigation
Public Safety Notice:
Should you encounter any of the following, please contact the authorities immediately- Unauthorized AIs, Unlicensed prophets, Rogue delivery drones, Independent journalists or citizens discussing cities One through Nine.
And remember our IN-10-CITY motto: “The First Nine Were Learning Experiences”
Legal disclaimer: By downloading and reading this pamphlet is acceptance to the residential user-license agreement and terms-of-service. Your tailored tracer program has been integrated, and any dizziness from the implant chip should be reported to the nearest med-bot facility. Please follow the guided path to your orientation seminar and job assignment.
–ACQUISITION COMPLETED–
I do appreciate the feedback that I’ve been getting on some of these posts. Some was good-natured ribbing (yea, you got me) and I got a constructive suggestion on my Endurance post. And I really like the “Wow, I’m impressed” type posts. It makes me think that I’ve been successful in planting a few story seeds out there for other gamers to use. I’ll probably talk about all the feedback in my after-action report on/around September 1st. Keep them coming, I really appreciate it.
Do you have any more feedback on this or any of my other RPGaDAY entries? Tell me about it. This article is open for discussion on the TardisCaptain dot Com Discord server. You can also email me at Carl (at) TardisCaptain.com or click on my social media links with any comments.
For Day 16 of the RPGaDAY 2026 Challenge and I’m going to be twisting the prompt of Composure from something vague to something directional. And this could fall in most RPG genres that I’ve already used several times this month. Gee, it’s almost like I’m interested in playing in these particular genres. So, for your sci-fi, pulp or fantasy game please consider the use of The Five Bearings of the Compass Guild.
North Bearing
Virtue: Endurance Color: Deep Blue Motto: “Hold Fast.“
North members are explorers, scouts, and guides who refuse to quit.
When others turn back, the North continues.
Associated with: Survival, Perseverance, Long expeditions and Frontier exploration
These are the cartographers, scholars, translators, and researchers.
The first to study a map. The last to stop asking questions.
Associated with: Intellect, Discovery, Learning and Investigation
South Bearing
Virtue: Service Color: Green Motto: “Leave Others Better.“
The most community-minded Bearing.
Members often become: Healers, Diplomats, Relief workers & Pilgrim guides
Associated with: Giving, Compassion, Charity and Stewardship
West Bearing
Virtue: Adventure Color: Crimson Motto: “Beyond the Horizon.“
The daring members.
Explorers. Pathfinders. Treasure hunters.
Often blamed for incidents.
Associated with: Courage, Curiosity, Risk-taking and New frontiers
Center Bearing
Virtue: Composure Color: White or Silver Motto: “Remain True.“
The rarest Bearing.
Center members train as: Mediators, Leaders, Masters and Judges
Like the pivot point of a compass, they remain steady while others move around them.
Associated with: Balance, Wisdom, Leadership and Calmness
Founder’s saying that is recited upon initiation or at the start of meetings:
“North endures. East learns. South serves. West ventures. The Center remains true.“
Which Bearing house would your character be in? Tell me about it. This article is open for discussion on the TardisCaptain dot Com Discord server. You can also email me at Carl (at) TardisCaptain.com or click on my social media links with any comments.
Probably one of the better RPG recommended prompts for the RPGaDAY 2026 Challenge and we are provided with “Endurance”. I wonder if this was chosen for Day 15 since it’s the midpoint of the month. I’ve known some participants who have already dropped out already (dang real life). I’ve also been tempted a few times myself, but I think forcing my way through some of these prompts has been a mental challenge.
So where am I going to take this prompt? I’m going to stick with the (now evolved) theme of providing seed ideas with different locations and vessels. I hope you enjoy it.
INCOMING TRANSMISSION
TO: Personal Terminal-Ms. Matilda Harper, Perth, Australia, Terran Confederation
FROM: Personal Terminal-Spacer First Class Ward Harper, Starship Endurance, Fleet Command
CLASSIFICATION: Personal Correspondence- OPSEC cleared
Mum,
I hope that you are doing well. I was pleased to hear that Doc Callaghan had cleared you from your last round of treatments. Please continue to follow his instructions. He knows his stuff unlike those AI-Assisted Digital Companions that still can’t seem to get a diagnostic right. I think that I’m starting to understand dad’s analog way of doing things, especially now that I’m settled down in my new assignment.
In my last letter I told you that my professor at Fleet Academy seemed to have a smirk on his face as we all gathered for our new assignments after graduation. I told you that he seemed to have it out for me. I couldn’t write to you before now because of how busy we’ve been. Packing up our gear. Many different transport stops. Clearing customs and keeping out of scraps along the way. But I’m finally berthed at my assignment.
I’m on that ship, the one everyone keeps talking about. The Endurance. The oldest operational vessel in Fleet Command. I remember when we disembarked from the transport shuttle and one of the other green members asked the Senior Bosun if we were here to help decommission the ship. This old guy just smirked and said “Son, you’ll either be dead, retired or the Grand Admiral of the Fleet before the Endurance is actually decommissioned.”
After getting my bunk, the first thing they had us all do was a temporary assignment with the Cargo Master. I tell you, this woman has the mind of a steel trap. She knew exactly where everything needed to go, what label needed to be on what container and how to rotate the containers so that the oldest items could be accessed first. The entire time I was around her, I don’t think she looked at her digital display device more than twice. I recall her telling the Senior Bosun that she’d rather have another round of arguments with the Syndicate Pirates than the Customs Officials of Oreth Prime.
After we got the resupply stocked and secured, I was finally released to my permanent assignment. I reported to Maintenance Chief, Lt. [redacted]. I walked more steps here than all my years at the academy. The Endurance must be twice as large as a similar cruiser class vessel. This makes for more corridors and access shafts. Lt. [redacted] stopped at one junction and just tilted his head. Then he had me note down that Circuit [redacted] needed to be replaced on the next maintenance cycle. When I asked him how he knew that he just shrugged and said, “The Endurance just talks with you, if you know how to listen.” I think he was serious.
After my first round with the Chief, we were told to report to the Arboretum, where we had our first meeting with Captain Henline and Exec Rosales. We got our official welcome aboard and an introduction to the senior staff. I could tell that Captain Henline has confidence in his team by the way he talked about them. The one that didn’t talk much was Executive Officer Rosales. When it came time for him to talk about his role, he only said that he represents the crew to the CO but is the first to follow the COs orders. I overheard one of the Ensigns whispering that Rosales scared him more than the visiting Admirals they had the week before.
One of the members of the senior staff came up to me just after our meet-and-greet with the staff. It was Lt. Commander Victoria Shellby, the ship’s archivist. Apparently, the Endurance is so old that there is a permanent historian on board. She immediately asked me if I knew the late Jack Harper. When I told her that was my dad, she put on a big smile and asked me to follow her. As we kept getting deeper and deeper into the lower sections of the ship, I was starting to wonder what was going on. Was this part of some prank on the newbies joining the Endurance. But eventually, after passing through three generations of replacement sections, a weird sign that says, “DO NOT REMOVE, IT IS LOAD BEARING.” (she couldn’t tell me what “it” was) and past a coffee maker that was older than I was, she pointed at some graffiti on a hull plate. There, etched in with a plasma welder, was the name “Senior Technician Third Class Jack Harper”.
I didn’t know dad served on the Endurance? He never talked about his time in the fleet. No wonder he loved the analog way of doing things. First, I was upset about getting this assignment. Sure, I wasn’t at the top of my class. But I felt that I had put in the effort to earn a berth on a Madagascar Class Cruiser or a Jefferson Class Destroyer, not the oldest ship in the fleet. Now… now I’m happy to be here. Lt. Commander Shellby didn’t say anything as I bawled. I know dad has been gone for a couple of years now, but this connection confirmed my decision to follow his footsteps into the academy. I hope what I do here will make both you and him proud.
END OF TRANSMISSION
Again, Carl looks at the screen after typing this up. Did I do good? Do you think the environment of the oldest ship in the fleet would work for a campaign setting for Star Trek Adventures, Traveller, FrontierSpace or a host of other science-fiction RPGs out there?
This article is open for discussion on the TardisCaptain dot Com Discord server. You can also email me at Carl (at) TardisCaptain.com or click on my social media links with any comments.
Here are the Daily Star Trek Quotes that will appear on the @STrekQuotes Mastodon account and the @STrekQuotes Bluesky account for the week of August 10th through August 16th. Note: Because Twitter/X will use posts to train AI, we will no longer be posting on that platform. This is out of respect for the owners of Star Trek.
“Elnor, I told you to stay on the ship.” Picard “Yes. I didn’t listen.” Elnor- The Impossible Box, Stardate: Unknown #StarTrek #StarTrekPIC #IDIC #Quote
August 11: “You’re human. So am I. Humans help each other.” Archer- Terra Nova, Date: Unknown #StarTrek #StarTrekENT #IDIC #Quote
“Logic! Logic! I’m sick to death of logic! Do you want to know how I feel about your logic?” Amanda- Journey to Babel, Stardate: 3842.3 #StarTrek #StarTrekTOS #IDIC #Quote
“But then we’re right back to buffer time.” Freeman “Yes, when people could do whatever they had to, to get the job done. You’re a great captain. Let them be a great crew.” Boimler “You’re… you’re right! I am a great captain!” Freeman- Temporal Edict, Stardate: 57501.4 #StarTrek #StarTrekLDS #IDIC #Quote
August 14: “Do you think you’re the only one in pain? Do you think you have the monopoly on loss?” Troi- Gambit, Part I, Stardate: 47135.2 #StarTrek #StarTrekTNG #IDIC #Quote
August 15: “That’s what doctors are there for—to help so there’s really no reason to be afraid of them.” Dr. Bashir- Equilibrium, Stardate: Unknown #StarTrek #StarTrekDS9 #IDIC #Quote
August 16: “My programmers didn’t clutter me up with pithy Earth trivia.” The Doctor- Persistence of Vision, Stardate: Unknown #StarTrek #StarTrekVOY #IDIC #Quote
What are your favorite daily Star Trek quotes selected for this week? This article is open for discussion on the TardisCaptain dot Com Discord server. You can also email me at Carl (at) TardisCaptain.com or click on my social media links with any comments.
Regard is the Day 14 prompt for the RPGaDAY 2026 Challenge…. and I’ve got nothing. I wracked my brain for this topic, and I really don’t know what the organizers are going for. Let’s look at some of the other entries that have been posted for inspiration. (Checks BlueSky social media)
Wait, Fellow RPG blogger Craig Oxbrow asked a question “What is a game held in high regard you have yet to play?” Perfect, I’m going to go with that one. Thank you Craig. (and after I started working on this, it looks like other participants used this same idea)
“Have yet to play?” Hmm… I’m going to break this into two categories since they would both count. “Never played” and “Never played outside of a one-shot.” As I’ve mentioned in my SaltCON reports, when I sign up for RPG sessions at conventions, I try to play at least one game I’ve never played before. I had also had the pleasure of being invited to a few one-shots outside of conventions (thanks guys). And no, I don’t count making characters for the Character Creation Challenge as playing the game.
Amazing Adventures– This is the “D20 Modern” variant of Castles and Crusades by Troll Lord Games. It’s a D20 based system that uses the siege system for resolving skill issues (driving a motorcycle, climbing wall, finding a hidden item, haggling with a merchant for a lower price, etc.) What I like the most about this system is it allows the player to say, “I want my character to do this” instead of “My character sheet says I can only do this.” Kind of like how you can with the 2D20 system Star Trek Adventures by Modiphius.
Planet of the Apes– The D6MV (the “magnetic variant” of the D6 system used for the Star Wars D6 game from West End Games). This game had a very successful KickStarter from Magnetic Press Play. Yes, I ran this at a SaltCON, but it was the intro adventure from the Quickstart. I would really love to play this in a campaign as a player.
Traveller– The latest version from Mongoose Publishing. 1- I’m a fan of science fiction. 2- This is one of the original RPGs that shaped a generation like Dungeons and Dragons did. I’ve seen the 2d6 system spawn off many retro-clones and imaginations. So I’d like to try it in a campaign at least once.
FrontierSpace by DWD Studios. This company is a small one-man operation that has put out a lot of different games . This entry covers science fiction and is his love letter to Star Frontiers (while using an original system). He has also created the espionage game, White Lies, which should also be on this list. While White Lies is based off of the Whitebox Fantasy Adventure retro-clone, the system used for FrontierSpace is very unique. It also has the “do what I want, not what my character sheet says” vibe.
And you know what? I’m going to call it there before this turns into a post 20 miles long. There are quite a few more that I could hold up and state that I hold it in high regard. I own them either in PDF or deadtree version. I’ll probably bring them up in future blog posts.
What are the four games you’d hold up in high regard that you haven’t played yet? Tell me about it. This article is open for discussion on the TardisCaptain dot Com Discord server. You can also email me at Carl (at) TardisCaptain.com or click on my social media links with any comments.
Day 13 of the RPGaDAY 2026 Challenge and I’m going to go with a storyline that I’ve had rolling around in my head for quite some time. I never knew if I wanted to make this an RPG session, Star Trek fan fiction or an original science-fiction story.
Communications Station Four-Seven-Bravo-Bravo-Echo
SIGNAL QUALITY: 17% degradation detected- aided restoration attempted
–Video Starts–
(static fades, interior of a Washburn Class starship command center is seen. Some panels are in different states of disrepair. A human male with a dirty uniform is seen sitting at the command station.)
(off screen female voice) “I think it’s going through now sir, but I don’t know how long we’ll have access to the subspace channel.”
“Fleet Command, I hope you are hearing this. (static) This is Captain Gabriel Costa of the Starship Venture. I don’t know if this message will reach you in time. If you haven’t been hit by the (inaudible static) wave, then you may only have weeks, days or even hours depending on how long this (garbled audio) message makes it through comms.”
Sparks fly off of one of the panels behind him.
(warped voice distortion) “Three years ago…” (voice normalizes) “…the Venture encountered an unknown anomaly that flung it over 4,700 sectors away from Its previous position. (static) “…our true location, we started the journey back home. During that time…” (garbled) “…a danger that affects all inhabited planets in the home sectors.”
(screen becomes full static before returning 35 seconds later)
“…at which time we discovered that the group was fleeing from something called the Delta Wave. This…” (voice distorts) “…wave will cause FTL drives to malfunction and eradicate certain organic compound…” (voice normalizes) “…unless it was shielded by…” (static) “… which protects some vessels and ground-based compounds but devastated entire civilizations that were caught unprotected. Many vessels of unknown origin are in a constant state to outrun the wave.”
Captain Costa wipes his brow with a dirty hand.
“As per fleet regulations, we attempted to assist where we could but quickly found ourselves at the magnitude of this disaster. Unknown forces attempted to commandeer the Venture. We suff…” (voice distorts) “…ered many casualties and attempted to flee away from the wave. So…” (voice distorts even more) “…far the science department has calculated the wave to be large enough to cover several sectors. We sti…” (voice normalizes) “…ll haven’t discovered the edge of the wave. Professor Viggan believes that the wave is growing with each system it engulfs. Other than the elements it consumes, the planets and stars are still present, but unreachable by the other side of the Delta Wave.”
(The video continues with an agitated Costa speaking, but there is no sound for 20 seconds)
“…is our last confirmed coordinates. I made the command decision to break radio silence in attempt to warn the fleet of this impending disaster. We have detected several vessels converging on our location. We will attempt to evade them and contact…”
(signal ends)
FROM: Automated System for Communications Station Four-Seven-Bravo-Bravo-Echo
TO: Regalas Sector Command, Fleet Command Base 94
PRIORITY: High
Message Start. Long range sensors have detected a large number of vessels approaching from the Tenkor Rift heading towards this sector. Identification scans: inconclusive. Total number: inconclusive. Propulsion sources: varied, but inconclusive. ETA: 108 Terran Hours. Sensor scans and unconfirmed message from Starship Venture (Registry 800437) attached in datapacket. Message Ends.
Did the seed get planted? Do you think that the Venture was able to survive the strain of being trapped in a remote sector surrounded by desperate alien vessels? Tell me about it. This article is open for discussion on the TardisCaptain dot Com Discord server. You can also email me at Carl (at) TardisCaptain.com or click on my social media links with any comments.
Because I liked the more humorous post of T.A.C.T. that I presented on Day 11, I’m going to keep going with the humorous entries. For Day 12 of the RPGaDAY 2026 Challenge the prompt is Loss. Well, loss and lost are close enough in my book and I was able to get some creative juices flowing with the later. (evil grin)
Basio Quill’s daily routine observed on 14th Day of the King Year 5279:
6:00 Unlocks door to Lost Property Office in the Secondary Southwest Government Annex for the City of Xarta. While the door is only hanging by one hinge, as per regulations, the door must be unlocked during business hours.
6:05 Checks for any incoming messages. Sends another message to the maintenance department that the door has not been repaired in 1,706 years and forty-five days since the initial request was submitted.
6:10 Waters the office plant. Checks growth rate. Notes that plant has not grown since it died after the city fell into ruin and everyone fled.
6:20 Review Overnight Claims. One explorer lost his hat. A cursed dagger was lost by a cultist. Three adventurers report “something important” is missing.
6:45 Dust Reference Shelves. Since office is currently buried in a partially collapsed building, dust returns immediately.
7:30 Morning Tea (Oil). Tea is terrible. Tea has always been terrible since the supplier has become unreliable since the fall of the empire.
8:00 Process Forms 12-B through 447-V. No one has requested these forms for centuries, but still one must be prepared.
9:00 Files Complaints. Recent examples include: Traps insufficiently marked. Mummies hostile. Map misleadingly accurate. Snakes are larger than expected.
10:00 Answers Questions from Adventurers. Standard responses already prepared for common questions like ‘Why is the city cursed?’, ‘Where is the treasure?’, ‘Why is the floor shaking?’.
11:00 Lunch Break. Since Basio doesn’t eat, he just sits there for an hour in silence. It’s tradition.
12:00 Update Missing Person’s Register. Several entries updated from ‘Missing’ to ‘Regrettably Found’.
13:00 Catalog Artifacts. Categories Include: Valuable, Dangerous, Extremely Dangerous, Should Not Have Been Touched and Returned to Professor Wainwright.
14:00 Checks on City’s Lost Prophecies Shelf. The shelf is nearly full. Prophecies are far more common than their authors would have us believe.
16:00 Polishes Nameplate and Tidies Desk. Nameplate reads ‘Basilio Quill: Senior Assistant Deputy Registrar of Lost Property, Third Class’. He was hoping to make Second Class, but the city collapsed before his promotion interview.
17:00 Closes Office. Locks door. Places key in designated drawer. The designated drawer was lost during an earthquake. Basilio records this fact in the appropriate ledger.
When the city fell nearly 2,000 years ago, everyone fled, the city was buried, the kingdom collapsed, the government ceased to exist, and the gods abandoned the region. Basilio Quill remained because of Municipal Regulation 14-B “No keeper of records may abandon his post while property remains unclaimed. According to his ledger, seven unresolved claims were still present. While civilization was gone, the paper remained valid, so Basilo stayed at his post. Because of the spell of employment (or programming) Basil is now an undead skeleton/broken autonomation in spectacles and tattered attire as he dutifully staffs the Lost and Found Office.
If any adventurers find him, he will be disturbed if any questions are asked as the inappropriate time. If they state that they are there to find a lost item, he will ask them to take a number and eventually asking for proof of ownership or a claim ticket. Basilo’s responses should be laced with boredom from bureaucracy and the sarcasm needed to survive a mundane office job. He is completely polite, completely helpful and completely defeated by bureaucracy. He would react to any horrifying adventurer behavior the way a stuffy librarian reacts to someone disturbing the quiet of the library.
Common Answers:
“Welcome to the Lost Property Office. Please take a number.”
“We’re the only people here.”
“Then I recommend Number One.”
“How long have you been dead?”
“That information is available upon submission of Form 38-C.”
“Do you have Form 38-C?”
“No. It was lost.”
“You’re alive!”
“That matter remains legally ambiguous.”
“Who are you?”
“Basilio Quill, Senior Assistant Deputy Registrar of Lost Property, Third Class.”
“And what do you do?”
“Mostly wait.”
“We’ve come for the Ruby Eye of Karak-Zul.”
“Excellent. Do you have your claim ticket?”
“It’s a legendary artifact.”
“So is a hat, if enough time passes.”
“Someone stole our map.”
“Then your complaint would belong with the law enforcement division-theft.”
“Where is Theft?”
“Stolen.”
“You get a lot of explorers down here?”
“Unfortunately.”
“What usually happens to adventurers?”
“Would you prefer the statistical summary or the pie chart?”
“Has anyone ever escaped the city?”
“Many.”
“Successfully?”
“Ah.”
“This city is cursed.”
“Everything is cursed.”
“Everything?”
“The stapler is particularly dangerous.”
“You keep records of everything?”
“Everything.”
“Everything?”
“On page 847, an explorer reported losing confidence in 431 A.E.”
“Did he ever find it?”
“No.”
“We’re missing our guide.”
“Description?”
“Short. Nervous. Kept warning us to go home.”
“I have eighty-seven entries matching that description.”
“One of my associates disappeared.”
“Voluntarily or adventurously?”
“What’s the difference?”
“The paperwork.”
“How did the city die?”
“Budget cuts.”
“This prophecy says we are the chosen ones.”
“Congratulations.”
“You don’t seem impressed.”
“That is the fifteenth chosen party this month.”
“Why don’t you leave?”
“Retirement requires authorization.”
“From whom?”
“My supervisor.”
“Where is he?”
“Missing.”
“What’s the strangest thing anyone ever lost?”
Basilio adjusts his spectacles and consults a ledger.
“According to the records, an adventurer named Percival Smythe misplaced an entire civilization.”
“How does that happen?”
“The notes simply state, ‘It was here yesterday.'”
This system agnostic RPG post could work in a variety of genres. For something like Star Trek Adventures or Frontier Space, the party could find a run-down robot/android still following his programming. For pulp adventures like Everyday Heroes and Amazing Adventures or a fantasy setting like Castles and Crusades or Basic Fantasy, Basilio would be some form of minor undead/litch cursed to keep working after he has passed away. Probably by a spell put on all employees to keep them working during turbulent times. Perhaps breaking the spell will allow Basilio to find the peace that he has lost.
Did I make you smile? Perhaps even giggle? This article is open for discussion on the TardisCaptain dot Com Discord server. You can also email me at Carl (at) TardisCaptain.com or click on my social media links with any comments.
So, after yesterdays deep blog post for Secret, I decided to have a little fun with the day 11 entry to the RPGaDAY 2026 Challenge. The prompt is Tact, which I’m going to turn into an abbreviation for Transcontinental Association of Civilized Travelers.
Professor Archibald Wainwright III let a slight curl of a smile show as he placed his teacup back on the saucer. The candidate he had been tasked at observing had just entered The Oak Room at the expected time of three minutes before the hour. While the other eyes in the room seemed shocked, he was not.
“So right on time I see.” The professor stated as his companion took a seat across the table from him. “May I ask how you were able to gain access to the inner sanctum of this exclusive club?”
The professor noted the confidence in the candidate’s smile as he spoke. “I followed the clues and easily found the location. As for how I obtained entrance.” He raised an eyebrow. “Let’s just say no one was hurt in the process, and we’ll leave it at that.”
Professor Wainwright thought about pressing for a second but then dropped it. Keeping one’s cards close to their chest was an admiral trait in their secret society. He pulled a large, sealed envelope from his coat pocket and slid it across the table.
“What we discussed at Lady Rochelle’s party is contained within this envelope. I’m certain that you’ll read it in discretion. If you wish to pursue the matter, then fill out the documentation and re-seal the envelope. It can be left in the back seat pocket of any Hollings-Smith taxi, and it will be delivered to the right destination.” Professor Wainwright reached for his teacup again and smiled. “I’m sure that you can see to your own exfiltration from this location before some burly gentlemen locate you.” Taking a sip, he returned his attention to his copy of the Times.
Transcontinental Association of Civilized Travelers (T.A.C.T.) Membership Application
Please answer all questions truthfully so that a proper evaluation can be made by the guild membership board. All applications will be thoroughly checked for accuracy.
Basic Information:
Full Name:
Alias(es):
Secret Alias(es):
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Astrological Sign:
Lucky Number:
Unlucky Number:
Catch Phrase:
Unique Weapon/Equipment/Transport of choice:
Unique Article of Clothing (note if bulletproof):
Base of Operations (note if secret):
Associates:
Known Adventuring Family Members:
Known Doppelgangers or Clones:
Known Psychic Pets:
Living Sidekicks:
Deceased Sidekicks:
Arch-Enemy (Include Guild of Calamitous Intent ID number):
General Qualifications:
Have you traveled to at least three continents?
Have you disembarked one of those continents in a hurry?
Have you ever been declared dead in error? (note number of times)
Have you discovered a lost city?
Was it already occupied?
Did the inhabitants object to your presence?
Have you ever removed an object of interest from a resting place?
Did the resting place immediately begin to collapse?
Were you surprised by this?
Transportation:
Check all forms of transportation from which you have escaped-
[ ] Airship
[ ] Biplane
[ ] Zeppelin
[ ] Steamship
[ ] Train
[ ] Runaway Train
[ ] Train hanging from a broken bridge
[ ] Giant Mechanical Spider
[ ] Alien Spacecraft
[ ] Other _________
Associate History:
Have any of your associates-
[ ] Betrayed you?
[ ] Been revealed as royalty?
[ ] Been replaced by an imposter?
[ ] Been controlled by an ancient artifact?
[ ] Turned out to be an intelligent monkey?
[ ] Became royalty after betraying you?
Scientific Matters:
Have you ignored the warnings of a scientist?
Have you ignored your own warnings?
Have you awakened something that should have remained asleep?
Did you do so in the interest of science?
Encounters:
Check all forms encountered during your adventures-
[ ] Dinosaurs
[ ] Mummies
[ ] Cultists
[ ] Mad Scientists
[ ] Not mad, just disappointed Scientists
[ ] Scientists currently in therapy
[ ] Cannibals
[ ] Amazons
[ ] Aliens
[ ] Cryptids
[ ] Honest Politicians
[ ] Giant Snakes
[ ] Giant Spiders
[ ] Giant Ants
[ ] Giant versions of something that shouldn’t be giant
Wealth Level:
Please indicate your financial status:
[ ] I had to borrow a pen to complete this application
[ ] I clip coupons, but I’m doing ok
[ ] I have a nest egg
[ ] I don’t have to ask how much when ordering anything
Club Conduct:
[ ] I solemnly swear to describe every obvious deathtrap as perfectly safe
[ ] I shall never spilt the party unless dramatically appropriate
[ ] I shall maintain a calm demeanor while pursued by hostile natives, criminal masterminds, or cursed statuary
[ ] I understand that “Do Not Enter” is generally a suggestion
Character References:
Please supply three references whom are Partially Living, Currently Living or Not actively seeking revenge.
Reference #1:
Reference #2:
Reference #3:
Final Question:
Have you ever looked at a plan and said, “What could possibly go wrong?”
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] I refuse to answer on advice of council
Declaration:
I certify that the above statements are true to the best of my knowledge and that any inaccuracies are likely the result of hypnosis, amnesia, time travel, or an encounter with an ancient civilization possessing advanced but poorly understood technology.
Applicant Signature:
Witness Signature:
Disclaimer:
T.A.C.T. bears no responsibility for curses, hexes, diplomatic incidents, or unfortunate encounters with giant apes resulting from membership.
What would you put down if you filled out this application? Tell me about it. This article is open for discussion on the TardisCaptain dot Com Discord server. You can also email me at Carl (at) TardisCaptain.com or click on my social media links with any comments.
And we start off with the prompt of “Secret” for Day 10 of the RPGaDAY 2026 Challenge. We also moved to a new week prompt of “Associates” while circling back to the line in the poem with “Fair of Face”.
Drums fingers on the desk. There are a lot of possibilities with this prompt. Probably one of the most RPG like of the month. I already had a good article about Secret Tunnels, how they could be made and kept a secret. I passed secret information to players using notepads, but I’ve already mentioned that in a previous blog post. How do I keep this about RPG locations? The Village entry from day 9 is in a secret location.
Keeping secrets is keeping information hidden. Obtaining this information is the job of spies and secret agents. Even during this time of the internet, obtaining information for governments, corporations and other organizations is a big business. It reminds me of the only novel that I have ever read that scared me. Robert Asprin’s The Cold Cash War. His first novel.
Long story short, an independent contractor that buys and sells information to various clients in a proto-cyberpunk world. During the course of the book, this broker discovers that large corporations have become so powerful, that they are taking over countries in the name of the almighty dollar. What scares him the most is that he can’t do a damn thing about it. Even when he tries to keep himself out of the way of the mega-corp train running everyone over. He knew before anyone else what was happening, that secret seemed like money at first, but then came back and could bite him in the ass.
I don’t mind corporations; I just hate it when the lust for money takes precedent over lives and the world we live in. Had I known the secrets that the independent contractor knew by the end of the book, I would have been just as worried. I look back at that book and some of the things seem dated (again, pre-internet of the 70’s look at the future). But then sometimes I have to wonder.
Now, could this level of belief in this type of story be used in a sit-down RPG? It would probably be more cyberpunk than presented in the novel, but if I could get my players to react at the reveal that I had when I first read this book, then I would count that as an accomplishment in my career as a gamemaster. Slowly revealing the different clues. Letting the players put the clues together. Watching them realize “Oh shit!” as the big-bad guys have all the pieces in place.
Sometimes this is why real life scares me more than horror movies. And it’s probably why the thought of playing a horror game doesn’t appeal to me. The things that I fear are not slasher blood and guts. It’s knowing what man can do to each other. I can see the sense of drama in an TTRPG, but I just can’t see the feeling of horror. Perhaps the secret could be the true horror.
Am I too personal on this one? Beyond the book, seeing what corporations have done to myself and others makes me distrust them. And I realize that this post has become more about my feelings than about gaming. For that, I apologize to the organizers of this challenge as they wanted to focus on the positivity of gaming. But that may be the point. I play games, so I can feel joy. The laughter around the table last Friday night (report coming soon) was infectious. The players were even talking about our fun the next day. And perhaps, that’s the secret… of gaming. Feeling joy.
This article is open for discussion on the TardisCaptain dot Com Discord server. You can also email me at Carl (at) TardisCaptain.com or click on my social media links with any comments.
