What happens when two delve crews compete for a starship captain's favor while facing cosmic horror in the ventilation ducts? Join our playtest crew for lessons in layered scenario design.

Journey through slipstream space with veteran roleplaying gamers as they playtest "The Library of Apan'ra," a Coriolis: The Great Dark scenario built using Ask Agger's methodology. Host Eli Tremors and Peter Randel's longtime friends Tim Rasmussen, Mikael Andersen, and Høgni Kallehauge explore how the journey to Auriga created multi-layered tension through biological horror, political rivalry, and cosmic mystery.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

• Create layered obstacles that operate at multiple scales simultaneously
• Integrate cosmic horror with practical problem-solving for maximum impact
• Use rival NPCs to generate ongoing tension without forced combat
• Design journeys that functionally prepare players for main events
• Balance crisis moments with routine for natural pacing rhythm

THE PLAYTEST EXPERIENCE:

Discover what happened when the crew volunteered for ventilation duct clearance while competing with a suspicious "geological survey team" for the captain's favor. Experience claustrophobic horror as they crawl through passages filled with crystalline arthropods and bioluminescent colonial structures that violate conventional biology.

Høgni's laboratory analysis reveals organisms with crystalline matrices integrated into living cells—impossible by standard science. The crew faces a dilemma: share findings with rivals or maintain information advantage? Small decisions during the journey create lasting factional consequences.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

Minutes 1-6: Meet the rival crew and learn how professional courtesy masks strategic competitionMinutes 6-17: Into the ventilation ducts—cosmic horror meets practical engineeringMinutes 17-21: Intelligence gathering and the cost of information sharingMinutes 21-25: Scenario design principles—why these techniques work

WHO SHOULD LISTEN:

Game Masters designing scenarios for any science fiction RPG • Coriolis: The Great Dark players and GMs • Scenario designers interested in Ask Agger's methodology • Cosmic horror enthusiasts • TTRPG veterans who appreciate intelligent game design discussion

ABOUT THE GUESTS:

Tim Rasmussen brings 30+ years of experience, strategic thinking, and high-level Magic: The Gathering expertise. Mikael Andersen combines military tactical analysis with statistical risk assessment. Høgni Kallehauge applies scientific methodology from rare disease diagnostics to cosmic mysteries.

Format: Conversational playtest debrief with scenario design analysis

TOPICS: Coriolis The Great Dark • Tabletop RPG • Scenario Design • Cosmic Horror • Ask Agger Methodology • Game Master Tips • Science Fiction RPG • Builder Ruins • Player Agency • Free League Publishing

📝 Full show notes: greatdarkresources.wordpress.com

NEXT: The arrival at Nirgal-B and descent into the Maw—where the journey ends and the horror begins.

Created by Peter Randel | Content created under Fria Ligan AB's Coriolis: The Great Dark Third Party Supplement License.