Featured Project: Argo-0, where Geek mythology, 80’s cartoons, space epics, and TTRPGs combine

*As a note, the intro is written by Steph from TTRPGkids, and the article was written by the project’s creator since content is in pre-release/crowdfunding and is edited/approved by TTRPGkids for the site

“Whispers of the golden moon echo through the galaxy. A junker, thought to be lost in space, returns home with a nugget of F133C3, a mineral said to burn with ceaseless energy. On a struggling outpost, industry leaders pool their resources to sponsor a desperate mission to find the moon and harvest its treasures. You are a crewmember of the Argo, a modified transport vessel outfitted to endure the vast asteroid belt floating between the outpost and its salvation. Out there are piratical raiders, corrupt militia, alien royalty, and calamitous monsters only rumoured to exist. Will you reach the golden moon first? And who will lay claim to its bounty?”

Argo-0 is a Tabletop Role-playing Game that combines Ancient Greek mythology, beloved 80s cartoons like Ulysses 31 and classic Anime such as Mobile Suit Gundam. The nostalgic vibes and aesthetics of Argo-0 were always something we wanted to explore at Hatchlings Games, and we’re confident this will resonate with experienced and beginner RPG enthusiasts alike!

Argo-0 uses the Paragon system by John Harper and Sean Nittner, the foundation for RPGs such as AGON and—most recently—Deathmatch Island by Old Dog Games. These light and intuitive rules perfectly support the cinematic storytelling and thrilling encounters we wanted to explore with this RPG.

Argo-0 is played over a number of phases, starting with Outpost Origins, where you Crewmembers are created. Then each session involves the Investigation of an Asteroid followed by a Refuel period in deep space. After a string of successful Investigations, coordinates to the golden moon are revealed, allowing the Argo to complete its mission, and the crew to return home as heroes.

Crewmembers are handpicked and trained to be prepared for anything the mission throws their way. To reflect this, they have two vital resources at their disposal: Assets and Belief. Assets represent high-end equipment and skills from the Benefactor sponsoring the Crewmember on their mission. Belief represents a Crewmember’s ability to endure hardships and stay the course. It’s that underlying determination to see the mission through whatever the odds, and bring hope to a community on the brink of collapse. However, Belief is not limitless, and when it’s gone, the Crewmember will experience despair and risk having to abandon their mission.

Benefactors are the outpost’s industry leaders—typically greedy and self-serving—but the crew would almost certainly fail the task ahead without their patronage. Benefactors insist their Assets are used and promoted throughout the voyage, and each will have personal requests that, if neglected, will be seen as an act of disloyalty, or even betrayal! 

Our twelve diverse Benefactors are based on figures from the Greek pantheon of gods, and display the same ego, anger, jealousy and passion they are renowned for.

Gameplay typically begins when the Argo arrives at an Asteroid. Whether in space or on the surface, an immediate test will occur to establish some themes and drop players straight into the action. This initial test will typically feature Rivals in the race for the golden moon, but can be entirely disconnected from the mission.

Following this initial test, the crew will explore the surface in search of clues to the moon’s location, but they won’t just be lying out there in the open—more tests will need to be resolved before knowledge is gained.

Finally, as the Argo is ready to depart an Asteroid, the crew will face a clash. This confrontation typically features an otherworldly monstrosity, or highly-skilled faction sent to take out the Argo in dramatic fashion. But who controls these dangerous adversaries? That’s something for the Rival Player to decide before play begins!

We hope players of all ages will enjoy this cinematic space adventure.

Argo-0 is currently funding on Kickstarter.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tatteredbear/argonought

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