pickup: STYX (ashcan edition)
A downloadable game
You are the operator of the ferry on the River of the Dead. The journey between the grave and what waits beyond is yours to shuttle, and your newly departed passengers look to you for guidance as they board your vessel to what awaits them next.
pickup: STYX is a narrative-driven, cozy journaling game that asks players to explore death and dying as a trip shared between two strangers, both seeking answers, comfort, and guidance.
This game uses a tarot deck and a few other basic tools to help you tell the story of a brief journey shared.
Ashcan edition, ver. 4, 2026
*UPDATED 5/29/2026*
- Major arcana use clarified
- Recommended tools for gameplay
- Spelling errors
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I need to get a standard tarot deck and try this, although I do have the Decuma deck which I think would do in a pinch.
I think different decks would be really fun here. You could easily use an oracle deck in place of traditional tarot! If you try something else, I'd love to hear how it went!
Hey! This seems like it would be a really lovely and potentially quite emotional journaling experience. I really like having the 3-card spread to work with for each journey, and the extra card for the parting piece is really nice. I have a couple of questions/some feedback :)
1. Is the Major Arcana used for anything? It's not mentioned again after separating the decks, so if not then perhaps including a note to let the player know it's not needed would be reassuring.
If you did want to use the Major Arcana, perhaps it could be used to help identify an aspect of the boat, or the player character themselves?
2. What are the two matching tokens used for?
3. Finally I would suggest to add a coin to the list of things needed to play, in case the player wishes to use the optional mechanic.
I also love the name! Looking forward to the final version :)
Hey hey!
This is exactly the type of feedback I'm after. This game was released super raw, so anything that's left unclear, I'm looking to finesse.
1. I think I've worked out clarity on when to use Major and Minor arcana. You're using the major arcana to build the profile of the passenger: who they were, how they may have passed. Minor is then used to consult on drop off. This omission I think was the result of looking at this game for so long and just -leaving out the most important piece-.
2. Heard on the matching tokens. I've gotten helpful player feedback since releasing that's revealed more their intention. Their purpose is to set tone, but also to bring a bit of centering to the game. Assuming the player's familiar with the myth of paying the Ferryman for safe passage, I intended for these to act as a sort of narrative anchor, something for the player to fidget with, on interpreting their passenger. The hope is that the player is encouraged to switch this up, play with the ideas of value for passage, sentimentality.
3. Good call and adding!
I appreciate the time you took to go through this. Releasing raw came with the risks of unfinished seams, so all and any catches just help me tailor this to what I know it can be.
I should have an updated version available soon!