Introduction

Tendon is a 40-page TTRPG zine for one or more players in which you play as Nurses: the bloody caretakers of a shifting biomechanical structure in the desert known as the Graft. 

It is also a roleplaying game in real time. The world moves on without you. Every time you pick up Tendon to play, you are operating within a brief window of control over the lives in Tanasul; home of the Graft and the only life in 100 miles of desert.

Every hour of the day corresponds to a new layout within the Graft, and the dice you roll determine the shape of the rooms and the life within. 

From this life you harvest three parts: heads, handles, and vessels. These are the core pieces of your tools: modular devices used in the Graft and sold in the market to earn your living. The parts could be:

• A spine to form your rifle's barrel.
• A calcified tongue for a hammer.
• A claw in your wrist to warn you of danger.

There's 140 different rooms and creatures within this zine, and countless ways to combine them. How many will die to create what you need?

Info

Tendon was made for the Gamestorm Season 1 Prompt Jam. It is in active testing, and we'd love to hear feedback. The theme selected was "A game for whoever can show up that week." Big thanks to them for hosting, and thank you for stopping by.

Credits

Davino - Writing, Layout, Game Design

Porter - Art, Playtesting

Rupp -  Playtesting

Alfred Valley - For The Everywhere Unseen Texture Pack.