Epigenesis

Unconcerned, 

They tamed the brash and devoured the weak

And dared to call it civility

What is Epigenesis?

Epigenesis is a furry urban-fantasy tactical combat roleplaying game that takes heavy inspiration from anime and fighting games. Players take the role of anthropomorphic animals possessing supernatural power hellbent on opposing those who would use it to subjugate others. Greedy corporations, violent fascists, and ancient orders are just the start of your foes. You fight because you know that apathy is death.

If you've come here looking for Lancer and DnD style tactical combat with furries slinging sick supernatural powers with a reverse death spiral that makes them fight harder with their backs to the wall, as well as bosses that gain new powers and set pieces when they are close to defeat, then you've come to the right place. 

Mechanical Inspirations: Lancer, Pokémon Tabletop United, Dungeons and Dragons 4e, Fantasy Craft

Thematic Inspirations: Under Night In-Birth, Guilty Gear, Persona 5, Final Fantasy 7, Zootoopia, Beastars

What does this game have to offer?

Robust, Fail-Forward Tactical Combat

Combat in Epigenesis and tactical and objective based. As opposed to rolling against defenses, player characters use Moves that have four different effects depending on the die result. No matter how poorly they roll, player characters are guaranteed to do something when they act, letting them plan more confidently and preventing the crummy feeling that comes with rolling terribly.

Reverse Death Spirals

Health isn’t just a number, it’s a resource and bargaining chip. As player characters and bosses lose VIT over the course of the combat they become stronger and gain their combat resources quicker. Your most powerful Moves are only usable when you’re just about finished, leading to dramatic comebacks when your back is against the wall, or a nasty surprise when you thought your foe was just about finished. Some enemies possess attacks that are more effective against low-VIT players, however. Will you play it safe, or will you ride the edge of defeat to give your opponent hell?

Combat-Agnostic Narrative Mechanics

A player character’s narrative abilities are kept separate from their combat prowess. They are free to create a distinct narrative identity no matter what combat class they choose without fear of being pigeonholed into a specific archetype.

Modular Enemy Creation

Enemies in Epigenesis follow modular construction and possess distinct Roles for ease of creation and deployment. Each enemy category includes detailed information on how they work, their strengths and weaknesses, and how they are best deployed in encounters. Only minimal math is required, as reference charts detail what stats an enemy has at each level. Most of all, enemy creation is fluff agnostic; no need to jump through hoops to make your chainsaw-wielding timber wolf can teleport allies, nor is there anything stopping a dormouse from kicking a grizzly bear through a window.

Detailed Gamemastering Guides

Need to throw together an Encounter at the last minute because your players decided to fight that NPC you thought they'd totally run away from like panicked rats? No problem. Grab a premade Objective from the list, snag some enemies that are already statted up for the players' levels, use one of the supplied pre-made maps if you wish, then get to work beating the hell out of your PCs. Having trouble coming up with an idea for the player's next Mission? We got you. Roll on or pick from a list of dilemmas that demand action, dress it up to fit your narrative, and you've got a plot hook that the PCs are personally invested in. Epigenesis' gamemastering materials help guide both new and veteran GMs, lightening your workload and helping you out when you're in a jam.

Unrestrained Species Selection

Play your favorite anthropomorphic animal! Real, mythical, extinct, whatever you want. There are no stats or mechanics tied to any species. Oh, and don't forget that humans are animals too.

Anime Moments

Anime is an inspiration, after all. Get out there and do something awesome.

Epigenesis is currently in pre-alpha, so expect a fair number of rough spots and missing content. Any playtest feedback is greatly appreciated!

What’s Planned to Come?

Lots! Besides fleshing out the document itself, here's a few of the things you can expect:

• Detailed setting information and art.
• Further GM reference material
• Additional Classes and Skills
• And more!

In addition, we have preliminary character sheets and crew sheets! They are currently google doc sheets. Just make a copy.

Character Sheet

Crew Sheet

Premade Maps