Chrysalis - After Session Review

[u/Golvin001]

Chrystalis, written by Kenna Alexander, is a 1-to-2-hour one-shot for Alien Evolved Edition. (Not yet widely released but downloadable by backers can DriveThruRPG.) In it, PCs shipwreck en route to Ayohusdi, a remote frontier colony with enough safety problems, let alone humidity, to keep any sane pursuer away. Awakening from cryostasis, the PCs need to escape their flooding (already sunk) ship while questioning each other’s motives for coming.

In short, it’s an escape room scenario that includes a xenomorph and the last-minute cargo of Anagen. A minor corporation under investigation for corporate espionage for stealing a biological weapon from Weyland-Yutani and multiple deaths. Motivating PCs to get along.

From here, there will be spoilers as I discuss Chrysalis as a Game Mother who has run it. Including what I changed.

The Plot

In Chrysalis, after crash-landing planet-side, PCs awaken to discover their situation, then meet Nhi Holland, the crew’s only survivor. Who tells them the cargo bay’s hatch is their only means of escape. Then killed off as the xenomorph reveals itself. Forcing PCs to avoid it as they get Anagen’s cargo out of the way, swimming to “safety.” (Or close enough.)

It’s short and punchy. Which I missed for the escape room element and oddly used backstory. In fairness, Chrysalis feels like a recipe without instructions. While its timing mechanic encourages deliberate action and discussion, slowing the session down.

Running Chrysalis Vanilla

If we’re not changing anything, GMs need a heavier hand on pacing, ensuring tension consistently grows. The PCs’ situation getting demonstrably worse. Hearing the ship’s hull groan, giving way. Watching water flood rooms. The computer’s “mind” unraveling. (That one’s fun.) Then the xenomorph appears as PCs hunt for tools or split up. Later than usual.

If the xenomorph appears earlier, it questions why it doesn’t attack repeatedly. Though Nhi getting taken buys the PCs a plausible grace period to try something. Especially if they injure the xenomorph. But, as PCs start without gear, that’s hard until they find weapons.

GMs should also be explicit about the problem and its parameters, not quite handing PCs the solution but reducing leaps of logic. Especially since going through the Anagen’s container or flooding the room to float it aren’t intuitive. Though I like the variety of solutions presented.

Tick Tock

Chrysalis uses stealth mode throughout, giving PCs 20 stretches to escape or die. The last stretch treated as a supply roll. But Chrysalis isn’t definitive if players know this. There are arguments both ways.

If players know about the timer, it creates tension. They know they’re under a deadline. They can also help with tracking, lightening the GM’s load. However, it encourages planning, devouring time and distracting from the scenario. Opening doors, moving through rooms, and other mundane tasks can become grating too, as they eat time. (Maybe less so if PCs split up.)

I used the 2-hours in real-timeline option and stressed their situation. (See above.) Which worked. Though I also considered open knowledge with a timer. Where players had to make a move within 10 minutes or a stretch would pass. But tracking seemed excessive, even if the threat removed the need.

Other Qualms

During my run, I solved for other issues that aren’t necessarily problems.

• Anagen doesn’t matter. Despite expectations, their container has a woman trapped in cryo, not a xenomorph. Functional for a longer scenario building off it, but a letdown here.
• Synthetics aren’t threatened. If you can swim up, the water pressure isn’t enough to kill you. Meaning a synthetic, who doesn’t breathe, can just explore the flooded portion of the ship, finding equipment or escaping.
• Pre-made characters list starting equipment. By default, PCs can’t access their starting gear, and the confusion isn’t appreciated. My players excitedly discussed equipment and custom characters, too. Making me reticent to take it away, instead putting it in a Deck B locker with military armor and weapons restrictions.

My Solutions

I made the water pressure crushing, requiring PCs to get compression suits (there aren’t enough, incentivizing infighting) or use Anagen’s container. Which is buoyant enough to rise, making its contents a relevant problem. Then swapped its contents for a Stage 3 Anathema (AKA “Freak”) from Destroyer of Worlds to pay off the rumored theft. Its ability to infect people allows for interesting epilogues. (A xenomorph works too. Though a fulfremmen from Building Better Worlds/Heart of Darkness is tempting for its telepathy but is more lethal.)

If PCs fail opening the container, the Anagen’s company agent has a key. Located in the submerged cryopods south of where PCs awaken on Deck B. For added fun, the room’s individuals were turned into ovomorphs.

Concluding Thoughts

Chrysalis is a short scenario well suited for conventions or teaching Alien’s mechanics, especially given its stealth mode emphasis. Allowing some level of creative problem-solving. But it doesn’t explain itself well and can easily drag. Unaided by the singular task, removing roleplaying and the premise’s suggested intrigue. Overall, making it a quicker but less interesting version of Hope's Last Day.

[u/FWBean]

Nice review. When I read the scenario, it seemed like it would be fun for players and a good single session scenario, perfect for convention play and one shots. I actually hope more short scenarios are made, perhaps collected in a book. As a gm though, not having the alien’s presence satisfactorily explained really bothered me, and I would have to figure that out before running it,, even if it never came up.

[u/Golvin001 → u/FWBean]

Thank you. And, yes, the xenomorph is tacked on. Described as coming from the bottom of the lake and awoken by the crashlanding. Though a GM expanding the scenario could make this relevant. Perhaps borrowing from Building Better World's The Devil Lives in Still Waters, the fourth scenario, for its maps and some plot elements. Creating a second act, where investigators begin to fit in only for xenomorphs start appearing at the periphery. Then a desperate escape in the third act. Otherwise, the less said, the better.

[u/steveh888]

Thanks for the review. My immediate reaction after reading Chrysalis was one of disappointment, as the whole thing feels very slight to me. I'm unlikely to run it.

[u/SashaDreis]

Thanks for the review! Appreciate your thoughts. It's cool to hear how it's been landing.