The Story of Spider Day

It is April 17th. The city of Heavendale is under attack by a giant spider, and you are one of countless superheroes heeding the call to fight it. Or rather, to fight one of its legs. Because that’s how big this thing is.

Make no mistake: you will perish in the attempt. But perhaps by remembering what you have on the line, you can make a difference when it really counts...

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The Story of Spider Day is a three-page d8 game about dying horribly (and hilariously) in a losing battle against a giant spider. Players take the role of semi-competent superheroes who can reveal their tragic backstories -- for example, being two days from retirement -- to briefly empower them in the fight. The GM takes the role of the giant spider, who will inevitably kill these heroes with its overpowered spider abilities. The goal is to die as memorably and as ridiculously as possible, and maybe accomplish some heroics along the way.

Spider Day originated with Critical Bits, a comedy RPG actual play podcast. Check it out at criticalbitcast.com, and for inspiration, check out this list of ridiculous "heroes" from their two Spider Day specials!

If you'd like to hear the game in action, check out these recorded playtests by Autosave! Playtest 1 | Playtest 2

You can now download a one-page zine of the game arranged by Critical Bits cast member Shelby Lee! Thanks so much for putting together this highly portable version of the game, Shelby.