What is the Warden's Screen?

A comprehensive digital toolkit for Mothership RPG Wardens (game masters) that combines reference tables, dice rolling, and integrated time management into a single interface. The centerpiece is Warden's Timeline, a specialized time-tracking system built on a parent/child time model where all timers are calculated against a single master clock (IGUT).

This is a digital reproduction of the physical Mothership Warden's Screen, enhanced with automation and smart integrations between card effects and the timeline system.

No login required! All core features work immediately, with session data saved to your browser's localStorage. Sign in is optional for cloud sync across devices.

Reference Cards & Tables

The Warden's Screen includes digital versions of key Mothership reference tables with built-in dice rolling:

  • Panic Check: 2d10 vs Stress with automatic panic effect lookup
  • Unconsciousness/Death: d100 unconsciousness duration table
  • Ship Critical Hits: d100 ship damage effects
  • Combat Critical Hits: Matrix-based severity (d10) × location (d10) system
  • Life Support Calculator: Automated oxygen calculation based on hull and crew
  • Equipment Tables: Searchable/filterable tables for all Mothership equipment

Time-Sensitive Roll Integration

When you roll on any table and the result contains a time-sensitive effect (e.g., "unconscious for 1d10 minutes"), a "Create Timer" button appears in the result. Clicking it:

  1. Automatically rolls the time dice (e.g., rolls 1d10)
  2. Pre-fills the timer form with event name, rolled duration value and unit, and full effect text in the notes field
  3. Opens the timeline section so you can review and create the timer with one more click

This eliminates manual transcription and ensures accuracy when translating card effects into active timers.

Timeline Features

Master Clock (IGUT)

In-Game Universal Time is the single source of truth for all in-game time. All timers are calculated against this master clock.

Large Display

Shows current day and time at the top of the screen (e.g., "DAY: 01 | 14:30:05")

Manual Time Setting

Set IGUT to any specific day, hour, minute, and second

Narrative "Zoom Out"

Add time in meaningful game increments: +10s (Action), +1m, +10m (Turn), +1h, +6h (Watch), +1d

Real-Time Playback

Run time at 1×, 10×, or 60× speed, or pause completely

Event Timer System

Smart Creation Form

Event name, duration, timer types (countdown, repeating, stopwatch), character tags, and private notes

Dice-Based Durations

Roll dice (1d4 through 3d6) to randomly generate timer durations in minutes or hours

Auto-Sorted List

Active timers always display in order of urgency (soonest to expire first)

Individual Controls

Pause or delete any timer independently

Expiration Effects

When a timer expires, it can trigger:

  • None: Visual-only indicator
  • Text Alert: Pop-up modal with custom warden message
  • Sound Effect Coming Soon: Play audio cue (klaxon, bleep, alarm)
  • Both: Text alert + sound combined
  • Chain Event: Automatically create a follow-up timer (e.g., "Stage 1" → "Stage 2")

Timer Types

  • Countdown: Expires once and stops (e.g., "Life Support Failure in 2 hours")
  • Repeating Cycle: Automatically recreates itself on expiration (e.g., "Memory wipe every 47 minutes")
  • Stopwatch: Counts up from start time (e.g., "Time since hull breach")

Network & Terminal System

A fully simulated in-game network environment allowing you to build and manage the digital infrastructure of your ship or facility.

Network Architecture

Network Hierarchy

Organize your system into Networks (e.g., "UScss Nostromo"), Locations (Decks/Rooms), and Devices.

Hardware Management

Track status (Online/Offline), IP addresses, and security ratings for Cameras, Servers, Sensors, and Computers.

Terminal Access

Create interactive terminals with specific access levels and "scopes" (what devices they can see).

Interactive Terminals

The system generates functional, interactive terminal screens that you can share with players (via screen share or URL).

  • CLI & Menu Interface: Players can interact via numeric menus or a command-line interface (CLI).
  • Global Commands: Standard commands like HELP, STATUS, NETMAP, and PING work automatically.
  • Device Connection: Players can CONNECT [IP] to remote devices to access their specific controls.
  • Custom Commands: Define custom input/output responses for specific hardware (e.g., UNLOCK on a door returns "Maglock disengaged").

Live Camera Feeds

Assign image or video sources to Camera devices. Terminals accessing these cameras will display the feed with optional pan/scan animations and UI overlays.

Integrated Workflow Example

Scenario: Player Gets Shot in Combat

  1. Roll Combat Critical: Warden rolls severity (6) and location (arm), result is "Bleeding, lose 1 HP per turn for 1d10 turns"
  2. Create Timer Button Appears: The system detects "1d10 turns" in the effect text
  3. Click Create Timer: Automatically rolls 1d10 (result: 7), pre-fills form with name "Combat Critical Hits", duration 7 turns (70 seconds), and full effect in notes
  4. Confirm & Track: Warden clicks "Add Timer" and the countdown begins on the IGUT timeline
  5. Alert on Expiration: When timer expires, optional alert reminds Warden the bleeding has stopped

Session Management

Save and load complete game sessions with all timers and IGUT state.

Create Named Sessions

Save game sessions with descriptive names (e.g., "Mission Alpha - Episode 3")

Auto-Save

Current session state saves automatically on any change

Load/Switch Sessions

Instantly switch between multiple saved games

Full State Preservation

Saves IGUT, all timers, notes, and settings

Works Offline: Sessions save to localStorage by default (no login required). Optional cloud sync available when signed in.

Visual Features

  • Retro Terminal Aesthetic: Amber-on-black color scheme with monospaced fonts
  • CRT Effect Toggle: Optional scan-line overlay for authentic retro monitor look
  • Visual Indicators: Expired timers flash red; paused timers show yellow border
  • Character Tags: Color-coded badges showing affected player characters
  • Responsive Design: Works on desktop and tablet screens

Quality of Life

  • Master Mute Toggle: Disable all sound effects with one click
  • Panic Button: Large red button for calling panic checks (provides satisfying tactile focus)
  • Timer Notes: Private warden notes per timer (hidden from players)
  • Quick Jump Navigation: Dropdown menu to quickly navigate to any section
  • Collapsible Sections: Minimize table rows to reduce clutter

Future Enhancements

The following features are on the roadmap:

Account & Collaboration Features Coming Soon

  • User Management: Full account creation and profile management
  • Real-Time Timer Sharing: Share specific timers with players in real-time
    • Player-facing view showing only public/shared timers
    • Warden can designate which timers are visible to players
    • Live updates when timers expire (dramatic reveals!)

Customization Features Coming Soon

  • Custom Table Items: Add house-ruled equipment, effects, or entries to any reference table
  • House Rules Table: Create and save custom reference tables for campaign-specific rules
  • Custom Timer Templates: Save frequently-used timer configurations as templates

Audio Integration Coming Soon

  • Sound Effects Library: Complete integration of klaxon, alarm, and ambient sounds
  • Custom Audio Upload: Add your own sound files for timer expiration effects

Technical Details

Technology Stack:

  • Alpine.js for reactive UI updates
  • Day.js for time calculations
  • Howler.js for audio playback (coming soon)
  • LocalStorage for session persistence
  • Pure HTML/CSS/JavaScript (no build step required)

Offline-First Design:

  • Fully functional without login - all core features work immediately
  • Session data saves to browser localStorage (no account required)
  • Optional account system for cloud sync across devices
  • Works completely offline after initial page load

Browser Compatibility: Modern browsers with ES6+ support and LocalStorage

Design Philosophy

The Warden's Screen is built around Mothership RPG's emphasis on time pressure and cascading crises. Rather than managing multiple independent timers, the tool treats time as a single flowing entity that you can manipulate narratively (jumping ahead) or experience in real-time (for tense moments). Every timer is anchored to that universal clock, making it intuitive to understand when multiple events will collide.

The seamless integration between card rolls and timer creation eliminates busywork—when a panic check says "freeze for 1d10 rounds," you're two clicks away from having that timer running on your IGUT timeline.

The retro-terminal aesthetic reinforces the sci-fi horror theme while keeping the interface functional and distraction-free during gameplay.