{"slug":"cloud-empress","title":"Cloud Empress","url":"https://www.ttrpg-games.com/item/cloud-empress","agentUrl":"https://www.ttrpg-games.com/api/games/cloud-empress.json","summary":{"blurb":"Cloud Empress is a standalone ecological science-fantasy TTRPG by watt that evolves Mothership-style panic, wounds, and fragile travelers into a war-scarred world of giant magical cicadas, strange relics, hexcrawl exploration, and pastoral danger.","atAGlance":"Ecological science fantasy | Mothership-compatible standalone | 2-5 players + GM | Free PDF, paid print/support | Best for strange travel, survival, and hexcrawl campaigns","whyItFits":"Cloud Empress fits tables that want ecological science fantasy to be more than scenery: travel, insects, war scars, magic, wounds, panic, communities, and environmental consequences all shape what characters can risk."},"constraints":{"playerRange":"2-5 players + GM","sessionRange":"120-240 minutes","setupMinutes":15,"characterCreationMinutes":20,"prepLevel":"Medium","priceModel":"Free"},"fit":{"beginnerFriendly":0,"newGmFriendly":3,"oneShotFriendly":1,"campaignFriendly":1,"soloFriendly":0,"improvBurden":"Medium","structureLevel":"Open","contentIntensity":"Medium"},"scores":[{"key":"complexity","label":"Complexity","value":3},{"key":"new_gm","label":"New GM Fit","value":3},{"key":"roleplay","label":"Roleplay Focus","value":4},{"key":"combat","label":"Combat Focus","value":2},{"key":"tactical","label":"Tactical Depth","value":2},{"key":"campaign","label":"Campaign Depth","value":4}],"availability":{"quickstartAvailable":1,"pdfAvailable":1,"physicalBookAvailable":1,"vttReady":0},"recommendations":{"bestFor":["Groups that want Mothership-style danger in a more pastoral, ecological science-fantasy world","Tables interested in hexcrawl travel, strange ecology, fragile communities, relics, magic, and survival pressure","GMs who want a free core rulebook with enough official support to grow into a short campaign"],"avoidIf":["You want tactical fantasy combat, deep character-build optimization, or encounter balance to be the main source of play","Your group wants a generic fantasy chassis rather than a specific ecological setting with unusual terminology and tone","You need every rule and setting procedure to be exceptionally easy to reference during a first session"]},"facets":{"genres":["Fantasy","Post-Apocalyptic","Science Fiction"],"systems":[],"mechanics":["Exploration-Driven","Rules Lite","Sandbox","Survival"],"themes":["Environmental"],"decisionTags":["Award Winning","Free"]},"links":{"websiteUrl":"https://cloudempress.com/books/","reviewsUrl":"https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/454022/cloud-empress-rulebook?affiliate_id=1659151"}}