A Modern

Prometheus
A game for 2 players

mqsalmon.itch.io/prometheus |1
A Modern Prometheus
A Roleplaying Game for 2 Players about Gothic Horror,
Dark Science, and Creating Monsters

By Mitchell Salmon
twitter.com/mqsalmon
mqsalmon.itch.io
drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/16490/Mitchell-Salmon

A hack of Mobile Frame Zero: Firebrands by D. Vincent Baker and

Meguey Baker / Lumpley Games

Art by Cara Tune

caratune.com

Special thanks to
Logan Timmins, twitter.com/ink_and_stories
Tim Allred, twitter.com/timallred

Image credits: Ishan / Unsplash

Aaron Burden / Unsplash

Quotations from:
Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus,
by Mary Shelley, 1818 (2013) / Penguin Classics
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein,
dir. Kenneth Branagh, 1994 / TriStar Pictures
Jekyll & Hyde: The Gothic Musical Thriller,
Frank Wildhorn, Leslie Bricusse & Steve Cuden (writers),
1990 (1995)

I respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri people and the

Boon Wurrung / Bunurong people of the Kulin Nations
as the traditional owners of the land on which the majority
of my work takes place. I pay respects to elders past and
present. Sovereignty was never ceded.

2| A Modern Prometheus | v1.0.2

 In each of us, there are two natures....

... this primitive duality of man—good and evil...

... It is the curse of mankind that these polar twins

should be constantly struggling.

—Dr. Henry Jekyll, from Jekyll & Hyde: The

Gothic Musical Thriller

mqsalmon.itch.io/prometheus |3
4| A Modern Prometheus | v1.0.2
A Monster
Walks
our Streets
Imagine a city. Cobbled streets running between
buildings of stone as veins wrap around bone. The
wealthy throw their lavish parties, convinced
of their goodness by their fortune and wealth,
while the poor toil and ply their trades for pen-
nies. At the heart of this city lies the univer-
sity, the locus of the pursuit of knowledge—of
truth!—for the whole region. Philosophy, natural
history, sciences, and studies that skirt the
edges of the respectable. Lecturers shape the
promising young minds of the generation while
students scour the library for the overlooked
morsels of genius that will give them a suit-
able leg up over their peers. And, in an isolated
laboratory, a particular scientist pursues dark
knowledge that pushes beyond what we conceive
to understand of the natural sciences—pushing
the boundaries into truly new frontiers. That
scientist is I. This is the moment of my greatest
triumph, and my deepest tragedy.

mqsalmon.itch.io/prometheus |5
 Playing the Game

A
Modern Prometheus tells the story of a tokens. It is also recommended to have
scientist and their creation, born something to write on, and something to
of eldritch sciences and dark se- write with.
crets. This is a game for 2 players. Together
Play is divided into turns. On your turn,
you will tell the story of the Scientist and
choose one minigame to play. Turn to the
their Creation as the two of them grapple
relevant page and read the instructions for
with despair, hope, and their own human-
that minigame together. Each minigame
ity.
is different, and tells a different part of
This is a storytelling game. Use the your shared story. You may play minigames
minigame rules to tell a story that you both more than once if you choose, and you do
enjoy. There is no winner, and no loser, not have to play all the minigames during a
only the pleasure of collaborative storytell- single story.
ing. The aim is to discover through play
Minigames will reward coins when you hit
who is human, and who is monstrous. Feel
certain markers. Keep your coins until
free to add conversations and scenes in be-
the end of the game. The coins you collect
tween minigames, and hold conversations
from minigames are not the same as tokens
about the story and where you would like it
you might gain during games, or coins you
to go next. Speak about the story at both the
might flip (throw) during minigames. If a
scene-to-scene level, and the overarching
minigame asks you to award a coin based on
meta level. You are the characters, the
the other player’s actions or answers be fair,
writers, and the audience of the story.
but be generous.
Make something you enjoy.

To play you will need a stack of coins, a

4-sided dice and a 6-sided dice, and some

6| A Modern Prometheus | v1.0.2

Beginning
the Game Scientist Minigames
Choose one player to be the Scientist. The ͧ Front the Board of Ethics, page 14
other player is the Creation. ͧ The Masquerade, page 16
ͧ Receive a Letter, page 18
Begin the game by playing Creating Mon-
ͧ Make A Desperate Enquiry, page 20
sters on page 12. Then take in turns
ͧ Steal Time with a Confidant,
choosing a minigame to play from your list.
page 22
When both players agree, play The Final
Confrontation on page 36 to end the
game.
Creation Minigames
ͧ Seek Humanity, page 26
Many minigames will ask you questions at
ͧ Hunt through the Streets, page 28
the start of the game that are separate from
ͧ Evade Pursuers, page 30
the lists and rules of the game. These ques-
ͧ Stalk the Creator’s Confidant,
tions usually help define characters for the
page 32
scene other than the Scientist and the Cre-
ͧ Deliver a Demand, page 34
ation. These are referred to as Non-Player
Characters, although someone still needs
to play them to bring them to life. Answer
the questions collaboratively. If there is any
dispute, the player taking on the Non-Play-
er Character’s role makes the final decision.

mqsalmon.itch.io/prometheus |7
 Prompts, Express your
Questions, Perspective
Challenges A Modern Prometheus is a game about learning
Each minigame has a series of questions to about the characters. Each minigame gives
help you tell a story together. Many ques- opportunities for the players to make ob-
tions are vague, and open to interpreta- servations and statements about their own
tion—more is implied than stated. There character, and their partner’s character.
is no wrong way to interpret a question, as These statements may or may not be true: they
long as both players agree. Ask your part- only reflect the perceptions of the charac-
ner for their input. When in doubt, follow ter making the statement. If your partner
whatever idea is most interesting to you, the makes an observation about your character
outcome you would most like to explore. that you disagree with, it is an opportunity
The same goes when you are called upon to to explore that aspect of your character and
make a decision; do whatever is most inter- choose to embrace the statement, or refute
esting, whatever pushes the story in direc- it. The way the Scientist sees themselves is
tions you are interested in exploring. not the same as the way their Creation sees
them, and one, both, or neither of those
perceptions may be how the audience (you)
see them.

8| A Modern Prometheus | v1.0.2

Player Safety
Don’t forget to consider safety tools for that you and your partner are on the same
your game, so that you can ensure every- page on these topics in particular, and place
one has the best possible time playing. For any lines or veils as required: violence, body
a free kit of tools for all your games, visit horror, and sex/intimacy.
bit.ly/ttrpgsafetytoolkit, with thanks to
When posing challenges and asking ques-
Kienna Shaw and Lauren Bryant-Monk.
tions, both players have the right to re-
Also visit twitter.com/TTRPGSafetyKit.
quest a different prompt at any time. You
Start your game by establishing Lines and don’t need to provide a reason. If you need
Veils with your partner. Lines are hard to, work together to craft an entirely new
limits on content, things that must not prompt.
appear in play. Veils are soft limits, things
that might appear in play, but will not be
the focus of scenes or described in detail,
they will take place ‘behind a veil’ or ‘off-
screen’. Lines and veils can be adjusted on
the fly during play. For this game, ensure

mqsalmon.itch.io/prometheus |9
Principles
I. Embrace the Victorian
melodrama...
Swoon, rage, throw a glass of brandy into the fire,
take to your bed for days at a time

II. Make humanity monstrous

and the monstrous human...
Find the ugly side of the beautiful, and the beautiful
side of ugliness

10 | A Modern Prometheus | v1.0.2

 III. Make your feelings clear and leave
your actions up to interpretation…

Centre your emotional world and leave no doubt as to

your thoughts and feelings

IV. Go beyond the prompt…

Describe the story as much or as little as you like, never
feel limited by the brevity of the prompt

V. Explore, Challenge, and Refute…

You don’t have to agree with your partner’s perception of your
character, and you should show them why they’re wrong

VI. Play to find out what happens...

mqsalmon.itch.io/prometheus | 11
 Creating
Monsters
On a moonlit night, in the heart of a noble city,
an unholy act took place, and a creature unlike
any the world has ever seen was born of dark
science and the untempered pursuit of knowl-
edge that would be better forgotten.

Both play. Take turns asking questions.

Your opposite will answer you truthfully.
A new species would bless me as its Record the answers. Ask these questions in
creator and source; many happy the sequence they are written in, then each
and excellent natures would owe player asks any one question from the bonus
their being to me. list. The game ends after both players have
asked a question from the bonus list.
No father could claim the gratitude
of his child so completely as I
should deserve theirs.
—Victor Frankenstein, from Frankenstein

12 | A Modern Prometheus | v1.0.2

Questions
ͧ Scientist asks, You come alive in my workshop, born
of my invention, my intent. Your eyes fix on me. What
do you see?
ͧ Creation asks, I rise and stagger to the floor of
your laboratory. The hiss and thump of your devices
surrounds us. You inspect me. What do you see?
ͧ Scientist asks, You look around my laboratory,
observing papers tacked to the walls, bookshelves
overflowing with books and notes; all the signs of a
singular obsession that I have created you to fulfil. What
is it that I want?
ͧ Creation asks, You raise your hand to your mouth,
shocked at what you have wrought. I am imbued with
abilities far beyond those of a natural human. What
unnatural strengths do I possess?
ͧ Scientist asks, Why do you hate me?
ͧ Creation asks, Why do you fear me?

Bonus Questions
ͧ I rise to approach you. How do you respond?
ͧ I attempt to flee. Do you stop me?
ͧ I reach out to touch you. May I?
ͧ You ask me a question. What is it?

mqsalmon.itch.io/prometheus | 13
 Front the
Board Of Ethics
News of my experiments had reached the ears
of the upper echelons of science in the city,
and I was called to answer for my actions to the
Board of the University, those pompous fools
who thought to limit my inquiry to their narrow
understanding of truth.

Scientist plays. The Creation takes the

role of the members of the Board of Ethics,
and any other Non-Player Characters in the
scene. Who are they? How are they disposed
towards the Scientist?

The Board poses at least two challenges to the

Scientist, who must respond.

The game ends when the Board has no more

challenges that they want to pose. If the Sci-
entist answers to the Board’s satisfaction, the
Board presents the Scientist with a coin.

14 | A Modern Prometheus | v1.0.2

Challenges
ͧ Explain what you hoped to achieve by your
actions, and how the benefits outweighed the
risks.
ͧ Explain why you believed you had exhausted
all other options in your pursuit of your goal,
and why this was the only course of action
available to you.
ͧ Justify why you alienated your colleagues and
refused to consult your mentors and tutors.
ͧ Explain how your actions served a nobler
purpose, for the good of humankind.
ͧ Express your frustrations with the scientific
community and explain how you see yourself
in relation.

mqsalmon.itch.io/prometheus | 15
The Masquerade
The wealthy and the educated passed their
time in extravagance, exchanging gossip and
favours behind masks and lace fans, not knowing
the evil that walked their streets and darkened
their halls.

Scientist plays. The Creation takes the

role of the Socialite and other Non-Player
Characters in the scene. Who are they? The
Socialite can become a different character at
any time as the masquerade progresses.

The Scientist and the Socialite take turns

exchanging rumours with another, beginning
Fine party, divine party with the Scientist. When the Scientist gives a
A touch tarty, but stinkin’ rich! rumour, it can be about any character in the
game. When the Socialite gives a rumour, it
Dee-licious, and so vicious! must be something they have heard about the
Our one wish is to Scientist, their work, their companions, or
Bitch, bitch, bitch! their family.
—Party Guests, from Jekyll & Hyde:
The game ends after at least two rumours
The Gothic Musical Thriller
each. If the Socialite is intrigued or delight-
fully scandalised by the Scientist, they pres-
ent the Scientist with a coin.

16 | A Modern Prometheus | v1.0.2

Questions
ͧ I have heard that __________ performs twisted acts under
the cover of darkness. Is this true?
ͧ I have heard that __________ is broke and living off the
wealth of a mysterious benefactor. Is this true?
ͧ I have heard that __________ is having an affair below their
station. Is this true?
ͧ I have heard that __________ is haunted by traumas in their
past, and wakes in cold sweat during the night. Is this
true?
ͧ I have heard that __________ conspired to perform a
dastardly crime. Is this true?
ͧ I have heard that __________ is in love with someone they
can never be with. Is this true?
ͧ I have heard that __________ has an addiction that is slowly
ruining them. Is this true?
ͧ I have heard that __________ is / has / does __________. Is this
true?

mqsalmon.itch.io/prometheus | 17
 A letter arrived at my lodgings, sealed and
signed in a familiar hand, bearing tidings of the
world beyond the city that is blissfully ignorant
of the dark undertakings that have consumed
my mind these past months.

Scientist plays. The Creation takes the role

of the Correspondent. Who are they? How
long has it been since they have corresponded
with the Scientist?

Place a 6-sided die on the table, with the 3

face up, representing the Scientist’s hope.
Adjust the current hope value based on the
story so far. The Correspondent reads the
letter to the Scientist in order as written, and
the Scientist responds. When asked to throw,
flip a coin.

The game ends at the end of the letter. If the

Scientist’s hope is 5 or more, the Scientist
takes a coin. If hope ever reaches zero, stop

Receive reading immediately and the game ends.

A Letter
18 | A Modern Prometheus | v1.0.2
The Letter
ͧ Salutations and greetings to you. Throw. On heads, my words
fill you with joy: increase hope. On tails, my greeting wracks you
with guilt and distress: decrease hope.
ͧ I tell you a story of your home, or friends you have not seen
in years. Throw. On heads, the story is a boon to your spirit:
increase hope. On tails, the story is tragic news you had not
heard: decrease hope.
ͧ I write of the rumours that swirl around you, concerned
for your wellbeing. Throw. On heads, the rumours bear no
resemblance to your current circumstances, and are easily
dismissed: increase hope. On tails, the horrific truth of your
present occurrences cuts into your soul: decrease hope.
ͧ I beg you for some assurance of your safety and good health.
Throw. On heads, I ask you to perform an action you can
achieve: increase hope. On tails, my request is impossible:
decrease hope.
ͧ I sign off with news that I am on my way to visit you. Throw. On
heads, I will arrive shortly: increase hope. On tails, I will arrive
in many weeks, and you fear you may not be able to welcome
me: decrease hope.

mqsalmon.itch.io/prometheus | 19
 My creation was loose, stalking through the city
at night, burning with some unspeakable devilish
purpose. Desperate to undo my mistake and rid
the world of this abomination, I sought out every
scrap of information I could about the creature,
its movements, its actions. Somewhere I would
find the key that would allow me to destroy it

Make A utterly.

Desperate Scientist plays. The Creation takes the role

of the Witness. The Witness becomes a dif-
ferent character in between each statement.

Enquiry Who are they? What have they heard of the

Scientist, and what do they think?

At the start of the game, the Scientist chooses

two different numbers between 1 and 4, in-
clusive. Write them down. After each state-
ment, the Scientist rolls a 4-sided dice. If the
result matches one of the chosen numbers,
cross it off.

The Witness gives statements to the Scientist,

which the Scientist answers. The game ends
after four statements. If the Scientist has
marked both of the numbers chosen at the
start of the game, they take a coin.

20 | A Modern Prometheus | v1.0.2

Statements
ͧ I saw the Creation two nights ago, hunched under a heavy cloak and
walking along the canal. What was it up to?
ͧ I heard that the Creation broke into a home and terrorised the
inhabitants. What did it want?
ͧ My kids found the Creation lurking under a bridge down the road.
What was it doing there?
ͧ I have heard stories about similar creatures to this. They can be
killed in a specific way. Do you know how?
ͧ Yesterday morning the university librarian found the Creation
among the bookshelves. What was it seeking?
ͧ Small objects have gone missing around the neighbourhood. Simple
things, like kettles, pans, and clothes. What does the Creation want
with them?
ͧ There are rumours that you created this thing. What are you going
to do to stop it?
ͧ The papers are reporting disappearances across the city; people,
children, animals. Is this the Creation’s doing?
ͧ I saw the Creation doing _______________. What does it mean?

mqsalmon.itch.io/prometheus | 21
Steal
time with
A Confidant

22 | A Modern Prometheus | v1.0.2

 Questions
In the past their presence had been my greatest ͧ We have been apart for many months.
comfort, my anchor when stormy moods overtook Have you thought well of me in that
me, and my guiding light in moments of uncer- time?
tainty. Now, with my dark shame heavy on my ͧ I tell you stories of people that you have
soul, I was undone by their presence. not seen for months. Do you care?
ͧ I want to share the turmoil of my
mind with you. Will you listen without
judgement?
Scientist plays. The Creation takes the role ͧ I try to tell you how I feel about you. Do
of the Confidant. Who are they? What have you feel the same way?
they heard, and what do they believe? ͧ I ask you to tell me something you care
about. Do you?
Take turns asking questions from the list
ͧ I make you a promise. Do you accept it?
below, starting with the Confidant.
ͧ I ask you if you trust me. Do you?
The game ends when either player passes, ͧ I take your hand. May I?
making some comment about the weather ͧ I touch your face. May I?
or food. The Scientist receives a coin if the ͧ I lean in to kiss you. May I?
Confidant answers ‘yes’ to any question.

mqsalmon.itch.io/prometheus | 23
 It is true, we shall be monsters,
cut off from all the world;

but on that account we shall be more

attached to one another.

—The creature, from Frankenstein

24 | A Modern Prometheus | v1.0.2

mqsalmon.itch.io/prometheus | 25
 I am alone in the world, the only one of my
kind, discarded by my creator. But there is good
in the world, and if I can find it, perhaps I
too may know a modicum of peace amidst my
cursed existence.

Creation plays. The Scientist takes the role

of an Innocent. Who are they? Where does
this interaction take place?

The Innocent holds a stack of tokens, and

asks four questions from the list below. After
each question, the Innocent secretly places
one token in either a Human stack or a Mon-
ster stack. After the Innocent has finished
asking questions, the Innocent reveals the
stacks and the Creation chooses either Hu-

Seek
man or Monster and rolls a 4-sided die. If
the result is below or equal to the number in
the chosen stack, the Creation takes a coin.

Humanity
26 | A Modern Prometheus | v1.0.2
Questions
ͧ What life do you desire?
ͧ What is beautiful, and what is ugly?
ͧ What does it mean to be strong?
ͧ What does it mean to be weak?
ͧ Who is your creator?
ͧ What is your purpose?
ͧ What is the purpose of humankind?
ͧ What do you see when you look at me?

I do know that for the sympathy of one living

being, I would make peace with all.
I have love in me the likes of which you can
scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you
would not believe.
If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the
other.

—The creature, from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

mqsalmon.itch.io/prometheus | 27
 I stalk through the streets, face hidden from
those who come and go, blissful and peaceful,
unaware how close they stand to me, and the
darkness that consumes me. I search, desper-
ate, for the one I seek among these twisted
streets.

Creation plays. Choose your target. It can

be any character, including the Scientist. The
Scientist takes the role of the Target.

The Creation poses up to three challenges to

the Target, and the target can choose to push
on or give up and allow themselves to be cap-
tured. When asked to throw, flip a coin.

The game ends after three challenges. If the

Target has not been caught, they escape. If
the Creation catches the Target, the Creation

Hunt
receives a coin and the Target poses the Final
Challenge.

Through The

28 |
Streets A Modern Prometheus | v1.0.2
Challenges
ͧ I stalk you from the shadows, slipping like a wraith
between alleyways, door frames, and across rooftops. Do
you notice my presence? If so, throw. On tails, you spy
me too late, and I catch you.
ͧ I follow you into a crowd, where you attempt to blend
in and lose me in the throng. Do you point me out to
the citizens to cause a panic? If so, throw. On heads, the
surge of people moving in panic allows you to put distance
between us, and the next time I might catch you, I don’t.
ͧ I force you into a narrow alleyway, littered with obstacles.
Do you proceed? If so, throw. On tails, you stumble and
fall, and I catch you.
ͧ I chase you through an empty street, our feet pounding
loudly on the cobbles. Do you attempt to outrun me? If
so, throw. On tails, I am faster, and catch you.
ͧ I corral you up to a sheer drop. Do you leap? If so, throw.
On tails, you land badly, and I catch you.
ͧ I double back, take another route, and emerge from an
unexpected angle, surprising you. Throw. On tails, I
startle you enough to catch you.

Final Challenge
ͧ I am at your mercy. What do you do?

mqsalmon.itch.io/prometheus | 29
 I was never meant to exist in this cruel world,
and the small minds of humankind reject me.
Feared and loathed, I was hunted through the
city streets, seeking sanctuary for slim moments
crouched in gutters and under bridges. But
those who hated me pursued me ever onwards.

Creation plays. The Scientist takes the role

of the Hunter. Who leads the hunting party?
Why do they pursue the Creation?

Place a stack of tokens on the table. The

Hunter takes two, the Creation takes none.
Begin with a coin throw. On heads, the Cre-
ation has the initiative. On tails, the Hunter
has the initiative. The player with the initia-
tive poses a challenge. After each challenge,
throw again. Challenges can be repeated.

The game ends after either player makes their

Evade
fourth challenge, and the Creation rolls a
4-sided dice. If the result is under the num-
ber of tokens you hold, you gain a coin. If the

Pursuers Hunter is reduced to zero tokens at any time,

the game ends immediately and the Creation
gains a coin.

30 | A Modern Prometheus | v1.0.2

Challenges
ͧ I use the terrain to my advantage, flanking you and taking
you by surprise. You discard a token.
ͧ I charge through a nearby building, scattering objects in
my path. I gain a token.
ͧ I take an opportunity to confront you head on. You
discard a token.
ͧ I attempt to hide, disguising myself in an alley. I gain a
token.
ͧ I appear in your vision as lightning crashes overhead,
filling you with fear. You discard a token.
ͧ I use an object to distract or mislead you. I gain a token.
ͧ I force you into a location that benefits me. You discard a
token.
ͧ I scurry below the streets, wading through the muck and
grime. I gain a token.

mqsalmon.itch.io/prometheus | 31
 My creator’s vain selfishness gives them little
concern for others, but at least one holds a
special place in my blasted parent’s heart.
Through them, I reasoned, I could strike at
my creator.

Creation plays. The Scientist takes the role

of their Confidant. Who are they? Where are
they when they encounter the Creation?

The Confidant takes a stack of tokens to

represent their fear of the Creation. Fear

Stalk the begins at 0. The Creation makes four chal-

lenges, which the Confidant answers. After

Creator’s
each challenge is answered the Confidant
increases fear by 1, and then rolls a 4-sided
dice. If they roll below fear, they flee from

Confidant the Creation’s presence. If fear reaches 3, the

Creation takes a coin. If the Creation makes
all 4 challenges without the Confidant flee-
ing, the Creation makes one Final Challenge.
The game ends after the Final Challenge, or
if the Confidant flees.

32 | A Modern Prometheus | v1.0.2

Challenges
ͧ I uncover my face, revealing my entire
visage to you. Do you recoil? Take fear.
ͧ I ask you about the Scientist. What do
you tell me? Take fear.
ͧ You have a token of the Scientist’s
affection on your person. May I inspect
it? Take fear.
ͧ I want to tell you about my experience,
and the turmoil of my mind. Will you
listen without judgement? Take fear.
ͧ I curse the Scientist and all they have
done to me. Do you rebuke me? Take
fear.
ͧ I ask you for a boon or a gift. Do you
give it? Take fear.
ͧ I take your hand. May I? Take fear.
ͧ I touch your face. May I? Take fear.

Final Challenge
ͧ I attack you.
ͧ I horrify you.
ͧ I enthral you.
ͧ I disappear.

mqsalmon.itch.io/prometheus | 33
 Deliver a
Demand
34 | A Modern Prometheus | v1.0.2
I lure you, my creator, to a place of my
choosing, to make a demand: a boon to begin
to make up for the cruelty you inflicted in my
creation. For despite your efforts, selfish as
they be, I remain… incomplete.

Both play. Where does this confrontation If the Scientist poses a condition of their
take place? Seeing one another once more, own, the Creation chooses to make one
what do you each notice about your opposite? of the same responses. If they add anoth-
er condition, the Scientist again chooses a
The Creation begins by making a demand of
response, and so on. Continue in this way
the Scientist. The demand must be within
until an agreement is reached, or the deal
the Scientist’s power to provide, but should
collapses.
not be simple or easy to accomplish. The Sci-
entist chooses to respond with one of, If an agreement is reached, the Creation
takes a coin. If the Scientist delivers on the
ͧ I agree to do this.
agreement, now or at any future time, they
ͧ I will do this thing, but first
gain a coin too.
you... / if you agree to...
ͧ I will not do this thing you ask of me,
begone! (the game ends)

mqsalmon.itch.io/prometheus | 35
 We finally stand face to face, the events of the
last months heavy on our minds.

The scars we have inflicted on each other on

our hearts, the sky above us stormy and laden
with portent.
We will not both return from this, not in the way
we may hope.

Both play. Describe your surroundings.

How did you come to be here? Who chose
this location? Observe one another. What do
you notice about your opposite?

Count the coins that you have won from the

other minigames. Spend coins one for one
to make any of the challenges below, taking
turns. Challenges can be repeated. The game
ends when one player admits defeat and pos-
es the Final Challenge, or when all coins are
spent. Narrate an epilogue that satisfies both
players.

The Final
Confrontation
36 | A Modern Prometheus | v1.0.2
Challenges
ͧ I draw a pistol, concealed in my travelling clothes, and take aim. Do you avoid my
shot, or do I strike you?
ͧ I lash out with a fist, connecting solidly with your jaw. Do you fall to the ground,
or recover?
ͧ I lift you bodily and we both tumble to the ground. Do you struggle free, or are
you pinned?
ͧ I scream an accusation at you, drawing on a well of white-hot hatred. Do you
respond, or do you ignore me?
ͧ I cry to the uncaring heavens, roaring of the injustices I have suffered at your
hands. Do you respect my anguish, or do you mock me?
ͧ I signal allies, hidden out of sight, to join the fray. Do you strike them down, or
avoid doing them harm?
ͧ I break away, attempting to flee. Do you catch me, or let me go?
ͧ I lure you to a trap I have prepared in advance. Do you fall for it, or avoid it?
ͧ I break your line of sight for a moment, allowing me to strike from an
unexpected angle. Do you take the hit, or deflect my strike?
ͧ I hammer you with my strongest blows, roaring with rage. Do you
succumb, or withstand my assault?
ͧ I do ___________. Can you survive / dodge / endure / hold me
off?

Final Challenge
ͧ You have me at your mercy. Do you strike me
down?

mqsalmon.itch.io/prometheus | 37
 I am alone and miserable.

38 | A Modern Prometheus | v1.0.2

 Only someone as ugly as I am could love me.

—The creature, from Frankenstein

mqsalmon.itch.io/prometheus | 39
 Expanded
Rules
3+ Players
You can expand your game of A Modern Pro- majority vote of the Board, with ties result-
metheus to be played with 3 or more play- ing in no coin.
ers. On a player’s turn, that player should
Attend the Masquerade: All the players
choose a minigame from either the Sci-
who are not the Scientist can play different
entist’s or the Creation’s list. The current
guests at the ball. A coin is awarded to the
player takes the role in bold in the game de-
Scientist based on a simple majority vote of
scription. Next, choose which player should
the Socialites, with ties granting the Scien-
take the other role, and what character (if
tist a coin.
any) the remaining player(s) should take.
The Final Confrontation: Take turns pos-
Creating Monsters: Take turns asking
ing challenges around the table, alternating
and answering questions around the table,
which character is making the challenge
asking each question in turn. Each player
each time. Each player may play both the
may play both the Scientist and Creation
Scientist and Creation at different points
at different points in the game. Or, choose
in the game. Every player should agree if it
two players to play on behalf of the group.
is time for a character to admit defeat. Or,
Front the Board of Ethics: All the choose two players to play on behalf of the
players who are not the Scientist can play group. Ensure all players are included in
different members of the Board. A coin is crafting the epilogue.behalf of the group.
awarded to the Scientist based on a simple Ensure all players are included in crafting
the epilogue.

40 | A Modern Prometheus | v1.0.2

mqsalmon.itch.io/prometheus | 41
42 | A Modern Prometheus | v1.0.2