No one knows why, but everywhere AUTHOR

John Simcoe
across Cirrus City, statues and
sculptures began to stir. They were SYSTEM

e
Tricube Tales
awakened by a mysterious force,

OF CIRRUS CITY
and the best of them took up the BACKGROUND
John Simcoe
battle against the forces of darkness.
These constructs now serve as the SYMBOLS

fil
SENTINELS OF CIRRUS CITY. Delapouite, Skoll &
FaithToken via
Game-icons.net
In this TriCube Tales game, you take on the role of a Sentinel – a living statue – that works to protect ILLUSTRATIONS
humanity from threats large and small, magical and mundane. As a Sentinel, you might be a giant Danomyte, Valdir M
& Gouache7
representation of a Greek god, a corporate logo brought to life, an immortalized soldier of a past war, (All of shutterstock.com)
a bronze likeness of a long-dead historical figure, a grotesque monster meant to decorate a fancy Intro text, adventure text and
Cirrus City Notables are
building, a whimsical beast or an abstract design. © 2022 John Simcoe.
All rights reserved.

e
CHARACTER CREATION WINNING CHALLENGES CITY OF ADVENTURES
Each player creates a Sentinel character as follows: If a player attempts something challenging, they roll 1 Roll on the following tables to generate the latest
1> Choose a trait: Agile (used for reflexes, dexterity, to 3 six-sided dice and must equal or beat a difficulty of adventure (see the next page for examples):
stealth and ranged combat), brawny (used for strength, 4 to 6 on at least one die. Succeed on multiple dice for THE SENTINELS MUST ...
vitality, athletics and melee combat), or crafty (used for an exceptional success (narrate an additional benefit).
smarts, charm, alertness and mental capabilities).
2> Select a concept*: Giant, human, creature, logo/
mascot, abstract (a symbol or a shape) or conglomeration
(a statue with multiple personas, such as a civil war general
riding a horse, or the seven muses)
3> Pick a perk*: Melee weapon, wings (for flight),
pl
Even if successful, rolling 1 on ANY die introduces a
complication. Rolling 1s on ALL dice is a critical failure.
The GM chooses a trait and difficulty for each challenge.
Most difficulties are 5, while easy tasks are 4 and hard
tasks are 6. Complex tasks require multiple rolls.
Players normally roll 2 dice. They roll 3 dice if the
 Investigate a mystery
 Liberate a location
 Repel an invasion
 Determine their origin
 Recover an object
 Rescue the innocent
FROM SOMEWHERE NEAR, IN, OR ON ...
 A dangerous factory
 A secret lair
 A maze of alleys
 A ritzy event
 Gang territory
 A high-tech lab
m
WHILE DEALING WITH ...
resilient body, power blast (specify element), malleable/ challenge trait matches theirs. If a challenge falls outside
 Potential victims  A fetch quest
stretching or Medusa touch their concept (e.g., a brawny giant trying to sneak through  Your nemesis  A mystic curse
4> Select a quirk*: Missing/broken part, partly the street), they lose 1 die.  A ticking clock  A plague of creatures
immobilized (ex. your sword and shield are permanently
stuck in your hands), mute, hollow, obsession (describe it) KARMA & RESOLVE RUNNING THE GAME
or dulled senses. Each player has 3 karma and 3 resolve. Spend 1 karma The GM should describe the opening scene, react to the
5> Grab 3 karma tokens and 3 resolve tokens. after rolling to reduce the difficulty by 1, if you can justify players’ decisions, and assign the traits and difficulties
Sa

6> Make up a name, and introduce yourself to the group how your perk helps you. Recover 1 karma if you increase for challenges. Offer players karma in return for
(e.g., “I am a statue called ‘The Spirit of Carlisle’. Carlisle the difficulty by 1 before rolling, narrating how your quirk complications based on their quirks!
is in the shape of a winged humanoid statue with a torch hinders you. The players should make all of the rolls, narrate the
locked in its left hand. When mobile, Carlisle is known for For dangerous actions (combat), failure costs 1 resolve (or outcome of their actions, and drive the story forward
its agility.”). 2 on a critical failure). If a PC runs out of resolve, they are whenever possible. They can also spend 1 karma to
*See “Bringing a Statue to Life” eliminated from the scene and the PC usually returns later in influence the story or discover a clue through their perk,
below for full descriptions. the story (GM’s choice) at full resolve. at the GM’s discretion.
 OBJECTIVES DESTINATIONS COMPLICATIONS
Described here are examples of objectives for the Described here are example destinations for the mission Described here are example complications for the
mission generator (first table): generator (second table): mission generator (third table):

e
1> WHO STOLE THE STATUE? 1> MUTANT MAKER 1> A BUS FULL OF TOURISTS
A statue (that isn’t one of the Sentinels) has been stolen In the industrial section of Cirrus City sits an abandoned As if things aren’t bad enough, a bus rounds the corner
from one of the city parks. Why was it swiped? And chemical factory. Those chemicals have had strange and gets caught in the chaos. The bus is loaded with
who stole it? It’s time to investigate! effects on the local wildlife. tourists who are wowed by the spectacle.

fil
2> WE GO WHERE? 2> VILLAIN’S VENUE 2> THE FULL FORCE
A skyscraper has been captured by terrorists. The The antagonist of the adventure has a secret lair deep While the Sentinels aligned themselves with the people
Sentinels must devise a plan to liberate the hostages, underground. Not only is it a subterranean maze, but its of the city, they’re now faced with the Overlords – a
save the building and capture the bad guys. also protected by his robot army. group of living statues bent on domination.
3> WILL WE STOP THEM? 3> ALLEY ABYSS 3> FULL-TIME JOB
Radiation has caused all the cockroaches in the city to There’s a particular section of Cirrus City known as The Sentinels have the talent and the ability, but they
grow to an immense size. It’s up to the Sentinels to The Abyss, where it’s all-too-easy to get lost in a web don’t have much time. If they don’t hustle, people will
squash this invasion. of back alleys, sky bridges and side streets.

e
die or their opponents will gain the upper hand.
4> WE ARE WHO? 4> BAKER’S BALL 4> FINISH THE FULL LIST
The Sentinels decide they must answer the most Mayor Billy Baker is hosting a huge event, and it seems The elements of a needed device or spell are scattered
burning questions they have: Why are we here? How that the Sentinels need to crash it. The guests, however, across the city, meaning that each piece must be
did we come to be? The referee guides them to the
answers.
5> WHERE DID IT GO?
A mystic staff is missing from the museum. The
Sentinels must search a dozen possible locations. The
problem is they keep finding staffs, but it’s always the
pl
are sure to think this is a publicity stunt. The Sentinels
will have to be patient with this one!
5> DANGER DISTRICT
District D is the place where the police are afraid to go.
It’s 100 percent controlled by the street gangs. Surely,
it shouldn’t be anything a Sentinel needs to worry
obtained before the device can be used to save the city
from imminent destruction.
5> FULL-ON CURSED
One or more of the Sentinels have fallen under the gaze
of the Evil Eye. Its foul essence makes everything go
from bad to worse. How can the spell be broken? It will
m
wrong one! about, but, then again those gang-bangers are fearless. take all Sentinels to make it happen!
6> WHO DO WE NEED TO SAVE? 6> LIGHTNING LAB 6> FULL-FLEDGED PLAGUE
The world’s most popular rock band has been In an out-of-the-way building flashing lights and loud As if this quest isn’t difficult enough, the city has been
kidnapped, and the Sentinels must find them and get noises occur day and night. Rumor says it’s the lab for completely infested by a plague of rats. This intrusion
them on stage in time for their big Cirrus City concert. man obsessed by “eldritch electricity”. makes everything more difficult, and quite disgusting.
Sa

ADDING A TWIST TO THE STORY

For further inspiration, roll two dice on the table below and use the symbol as an improvisational prompt (you don’t need to interpret it literally). For example, 2-1 might
indicate arrival of a gang of Ninjas or something to do with propellers. Rolling 3-5 could mean a reports of a monster in the harbor, a dinosaur exhibit at the mustem or the
cryptozoologist trying to learn more about the Sentinels. Did you roll 4-4? That might represent birds nesting in the skyscraper or forcing the Sentinels to wade in the river.

1-1 1-2 1-3 1-4 1-5 1-6 2-1 2-2 2-3 2-4 2-5 2-6 3-1 3-2 3-3 3-4 3-5 3-6 4-1 4-2 4-3 4-4 4-5 4-6 5-1 5-2 5-3 5-4 5-5 5-6 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-5 6-6
 this power, it can attempt to touch a living creature and turn
that creature into a statue of the material the Sentinel is
constructed from. This effect lasts 1D6 hours. A target can
resist this by rolling a Brawny Trait roll of a 5 or 6. If the

e
target rolls 4s or lower, they fail. However, the time “frozen”
OF CIRRUS CITY is reduced by one hour for each 4 rolled.

BRINGING Missing or broken part (quirk) > Prior to the Sentinel

coming “alive” it was damaged, and that damage exists now.

fil
So, if the Sentinel’s nose was broken off, it cannot detect
STATUES TO LIFE odors, it looks weird and it has a hard time talking. If it has
a crack on its arm, then this crack will sometimes create
problems using that arm.
Sentinels of Statue City offers a unique role-playing
Melee Weapon (perk) > Your statue was designed
opportunity. The most obvious is that the Sentinels
with a melee weapon, such as sword, axe or club. This helps
are very different from the citizens they protect. you in combat by giving you an extra dice for melee attacks.
Even the world in which they dwell tends to be Mute (quirk) > The Sentinel doesn’t have a way to
dwarf-sized since most statues are created larger vocalize its thoughts or explain itself. This could be because

e
than life. it doesn’t have a mouth, an object blocks the mouth or the
This creates interesting opportunities and mouth remains sealed shut.
challenges, some of which are apparent in your Obsession (quirk) > The Sentinel is obsessed with a
character creation selections. Please consult the list particular thing or person. This obsession drives the Sentinel
below prior to constructing your Sentinel character.

Abstract (concept) > You’re a three-dimensional shape!

That may mean that you don’t have any obvious arms or
legs, although you have some basic flexibility to allow
locomotion. The malleable/stretching perk adds significantly
to this.
pl
big! At least 20-feet-tall or more. This means you’re not
going to be able to go some of the places other characters
can go. You also tend to be quite intimidating!
Hollow (quirk) > The Sentinel’s body is hollow, which
can create a number of problems once breached. Most
notably, once cracked open, it can be targeted for additional
damage. Additionally, it can fill up with water, or catch the
to distraction, as it seeks to collect, possess or protect the
object of this quirk.
Partly immobilized (quirk) > The Sentinel was sculpted
in such a way that its mobility is affected. Examples include
objects fused into hands, it’s still attached to a pedestal or a
limb doesn’t have full functionality.
Power blast (perk) > Your statue can expel an energy
m
Conglomeration (concept) > Your statue actually wind unexpectedly. Critters might find their way inside, too! blast, such as fire, lava, cold, sonics or electricity, as an
includes multiple individuals who can split apart, such as a Humanoid (concept) > For all intents and purposes, you attack. You must pick the energy type. The blast source
horse and its rider or a group of workers. These individuals are a statue that looks pretty much human. This puts citizens (from the eyes, mouth, fingertips, palm, emblem, etc.) must
can work together seamlessly and earn an extra action at ease because you tend to act a lot like a human, too. also be selected.
per turn per individual however, Failures are more likely. Logo/mascot (concept) > On the slightly weirder side, Resilient body (perk) > As your form is sculpted with a
Conglomerations suffer a Failure whenever an action roll on you might be a “living” logo or mascot, meaning you might tough substance, you are also fairly tough. When attacked,
your attacker must roll a 6 to cause damage. Those without
Sa

a non-favored trait includes all “1s” or “2s”. look like a cartoon character or symbol. As a symbol, you
Creature (concept) > You might be a gargoyle, dragon, might not have feet or arms, although you do have some the resilient perk may be made out of a tough substance, but
bull or lion. There are less ferocious options, too. Maybe basic flexibility. are not properly reinforced.
you’re a tabby cat or a dog statue! Malleable/stretching (perk) > The limbs, neck and Wings (perk) > Your statue was designed with wings –
Dulled senses (quirk) > The construction or size of the waist of your character can stretch. The maximum length usually bat or angel wings. Although you are made of a very
Sentinel has limited its senses, meaning it has a hard time of malleability is two-times the height of the character, so a heavy material, your wings grant you the power of flight.
noting specific details. This quirk affects all the key senses 10-foot-tall statue can stretch its parts to make it a total of You’re not very fast or maneuverable, although those with
(sight, hearing, taste, touch and scent) to a certain degree. 20 feet tall. the Agile trait are faster and more maneuverable than those
Giant (concept) > Most statues are big, but you’re really Medusa Touch (perk) > When your Sentinel activates without it.
 e
OF CIRRUS CITY

BRINGING THE

fil
CITY TO LIFE
To help the GM flesh out Cirrus City, and to help
players develop their characters, here is a list of 65
notable people who make Cirrus City their home.
It’s up to the GM to decide each NPC’s nature,
personality and background, although the players

e
might have some helpful ideas to connect these hu-
mans to their Sentinel.
1. Athlete-Coach (Elmer Salle)
2. Athlete-Gymnast (Yi Ran Chou)
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Athlete-Player (Andy Carmen)
Athlete-Racer (Doyle Roxas)
Biker Gang-Leader (Dana Tervic)
Business Leader-Industrial (Lawson Ledge)
Business Leader-Landlord (Vardan Nazarian)
Business Leader-Tech (Bravo Bonne)
pl
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
Hotel Manager (Bo Wen Zhao)
Mechanic (Will Barlowe)
Medical Doctor-Surgeon (Hu Cheong)
Medical Doctor-General (Oscar Welch)
Medical Nurse-Emergency (Baydie Gabriel)
Movie-Actress (Sunny Moon)
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
Reporter-TV (Milton Masterson)
Restauranteur-4 Star (Walter Fillion)
Restauranteur-Zero-Star (Johnnie Holland)
Salesperson (Vincente Cano)
Scientist-Chemist (Barney Barnathan)
Scientist-Inventor (Hiro Forbes)
m
9. Community Leader (Hubballah Singh) 30. Movie-Indy Director (Jimmy Hartlane) 51. Scientist-Physics (Alice Ackerman)
10. Computer Expert (Le Yang Tsang) 31. Museum Director (Miranda Hopper) 52. Shop owner-Clothing (Reese Prudehumme)
11. Construction-Foreman (Conrad Giambalvo) 32. Musician (Nine MacToule) 53. Shop owner-Jewelry (Anson Kovacec)
12. Construction-Worker (Paul Stone) 33. Pilot-Jet plane (Petr Lakatos) 54. Socialite (Figs Griffiths)
13. Criminal-Boss (Giovanni “Gamble” Forte) 34. Pilot-Helicopter (James Stedanidis) 55. Socialite (Brigitte Zucker)
14. Criminal-Sub-Boss (Davey Freidmann) 35. Police-Beat Cop (Shawn Morris) 56. Subway-Engineer (Fiona McCarr)
15. Criminal-Thief (“Sammy the Slip” Kominski) 36. Police-Commissioner (Andre Forest) 57. Taxi (Andy Sachs)
Sa

16. Cult Leader (Simon Pennzil) 37. Police-Detective (Joseph McBrine) 58. Teacher-College (Harold Bodnar)
17. Engineer (Helmut Gutermuth) 38. Politician-Candidate (Alonzo Lopez) 59. Teacher-High School (Paul Shapiro)
18. Fire Chief (Jack Krastev) 39. Politician-Mayor (Billy Baker) 60. Teacher-Grade School (Amy Zahn)
19. Fire Inspector (Dawn Shaw) 40. Politician-State Rep. (Rock Brackett) 61. Truck driver (Jane Novak)
20. Gang Leader-Teen (Kyle “Kloves” Kinnison) 41. Politician-Senator (Deborah Wolfe) 62. Union Leader (Louis “Lou” Lewis)
21. Gang Leader-Racist (Herman Highmond) 42. Private Detective (Sub Stevenson) 63. Warehouse-Manager (Hugh Froman)
22. Harbor-Ship Captain (Alfred Panosian) 43. Psychic (Stacia Teague) 64. Witch (Patsy Hyra)
23. Harbor-Dock worker (Mike Bowen) 44. Reporter-News Site (Ashana Sharma) 65. Zookeeper (Timothy Gaeta)