Welcome to MutherOS

MutherOS is a set of digital utilities for Mothership RPG that helps game wardens manage their sessions with powerful tools for tracking time, managing timers, rolling dice, and accessing game rules.

What is MutherOS?

MutherOS is a web-based application designed specifically for running Mothership RPG sessions. It provides everything you need to manage your game in one place:

  • In-Game Universal Time (IGUT) Clock - Track time in your game world with variable playback speeds
  • Event Timers - Create countdown timers, repeating events, and stopwatches
  • Dice Rollers - Quick access to panic checks, hit locations, critical hits, and more
  • Reference Cards - Complete rule reference for weapons, equipment, panic effects, and all game tables
  • Session Management - Save and load your game sessions (cloud sync coming soon)
  • Network & Terminals - Create immersive computer interfaces for your players (coming soon)

Key Features

⏱️ Timer System

Create multiple timers to track events in your game. Set countdowns for critical moments, repeating timers for ongoing events, or stopwatches to track elapsed time.

🕐 IGUT Clock

The In-Game Universal Time clock lets you track time in your game world. Set the current time, adjust playback speed (1x, 10x, 60x), and manually adjust time as needed.

🎲 Dice Rollers

Quick access to all the dice rolls you need for Mothership RPG: panic checks, hit locations, critical hits, and more.

📊 Reference Cards

Complete reference for all Mothership RPG rules, including weapons and equipment, panic effects, critical hit tables, and all game tables and charts.

💾 Session Management

Save your game state and load it later. Currently, all sessions are saved locally in your browser. Cloud sync will be available in the near future, allowing you to access your game from anywhere.

🌐 Network & Terminals

Create immersive computer interfaces for your players with networks, locations, hardware devices, and interactive terminals. These features are coming soon and will be available to all authenticated users.

Getting Started

Ready to start using MutherOS? Check out our Getting Started Guide to learn how to sign in, create your first session, and start using the features.

Need Help?

  • Check out our Features section for detailed guides on each feature
  • Visit Troubleshooting if you run into any problems
  • Browse our FAQ for answers to common questions

Stay alert. Trust no one. Keep your helmet on. 💀

First Steps

Welcome to MutherOS! This guide will help you get started with your first session.

Accessing the Application

MutherOS is a web-based application. Simply navigate to the application URL in your web browser. No installation required!

Signing In (Optional)

You can start using MutherOS immediately without signing in! Anonymous mode gives you access to all core features. However, you can optionally sign in or create an account to prepare for upcoming cloud sync and network features.

Using Anonymous Mode

Anonymous mode lets you use MutherOS without creating an account. Simply start using the application - no sign-in required! All features work with local storage in your browser. See the Authentication Guide for details on what's available in anonymous mode.

Creating an Account (Optional)

If you want to create an account (optional), you can:

  1. Click the Sign In button in the top right corner
  2. Choose your preferred sign-in method:
    • Email/Password - Create an account with your email address
    • Google - Sign in with your Google account
    • GitHub - Sign in with your GitHub account
    • Anonymous - Continue using the app without creating an account
  3. Follow the prompts to complete sign-in (if creating an account)
Tip: Currently, all data (including for logged-in users) is saved locally in your browser. Cloud sync and network features are coming soon. Creating an account now prepares you for these upcoming features, but you can use all current features without signing in.

Creating Your First Session

You can create your first game session right away, whether you're signed in or using anonymous mode:

  1. Look for the Session menu or button in the interface
  2. Click New Session or Create Session
  3. Enter a name for your session (e.g., "Session 1 - The Derelict")
  4. Optionally add player names (comma-separated)
  5. Click Create

Your session is now active! You'll see the session name displayed in the interface.

Basic Interface Overview

The MutherOS interface includes several key areas:

  • Top Navigation - Access different sections (MutherOS, Network, Help, etc.)
  • Session Info - Current session name and status
  • IGUT Clock - In-Game Universal Time display and controls
  • Timer Panel - Create and manage event timers
  • Reference Cards - Quick access to game rules
  • Dice Rollers - Roll dice for various game mechanics

Setting Up Your First Timer

Let's create a timer to get familiar with the system:

  1. Click the Add Timer button or open the timer panel
  2. Enter an event name (e.g., "Oxygen Depletion")
  3. Choose timer type:
    • Countdown - Counts down from a set time
    • Repeating - Repeats at intervals
    • Stopwatch - Tracks elapsed time
  4. Set the duration (days, hours, minutes, seconds)
  5. Click Create Timer

Your timer will appear in the timer list and start running automatically.

Setting the IGUT Clock

The In-Game Universal Time clock helps you track time in your game world:

  1. Find the IGUT Clock section
  2. Click Set Time or use the time input fields
  3. Set the current day, hour, minute, and second
  4. Use playback controls to start/stop and adjust speed (1x, 10x, 60x)
  5. Use adjustment buttons (+10s, +1m, +10m, +1h, +6h, +1d) to modify time

Navigation

Learn how to navigate within the MutherOS efficiently. The interface provides several tools to help you quickly find and access the information you need during gameplay.

Quick Jump Menu

The Quick Jump dropdown menu in the top navigation bar (right side) provides instant access to any reference card section. This is the fastest way to navigate to specific game rules, tables, or reference materials.

To use Quick Jump:

  1. Click the Quick Jump dropdown in the top navigation bar
  2. Select the reference card section you want to view (e.g., "Weapons", "Panic Check", "Healing")
  3. The page automatically scrolls smoothly to that section
  4. The selected card is highlighted with a visual indicator for 5 seconds to help you locate it

The Quick Jump menu lists all 22 reference card categories alphabetically, making it easy to find what you need even when you're deep in a long scroll. After selecting a section, the dropdown resets so you can quickly jump to another section if needed.

Collapsible Sections

Reference cards are organized into rows, and each row has a collapsible header that lets you show or hide entire groups of cards. This helps you focus on specific types of information and reduces visual clutter.

To collapse or expand a section:

  1. Look for the row header above a group of cards (e.g., "Row 1: Panic Check & Unconsciousness")
  2. Click anywhere on the row header
  3. The cards in that row will smoothly collapse or expand
  4. The arrow icon in the header rotates to indicate the current state (pointing right when collapsed, down when expanded)

Collapsed sections remain collapsed until you expand them again, even if you refresh the page. This allows you to customize the layout to show only the reference cards you use most frequently.

Jump-to-Top Button

When you've scrolled down through the reference cards, a floating Jump-to-Top button appears in the bottom-right corner of the screen. This button helps you quickly return to the top of the page without manually scrolling.

How it works:

  • The button automatically appears after you've scrolled past the first third of the page
  • Click the button to smoothly scroll back to the top
  • The button disappears when you're near the top of the page

This is especially useful when you've scrolled deep into the reference cards and want to quickly return to the IGUT clock, timers, or other controls at the top of the screen.

Modals and Popups

Many features in MutherOS use modal dialogs (overlay windows) that appear on top of the main screen. These modals are used for session management, authentication, timer alerts, and other interactive features.

How to interact with modals:

  • Opening Modals - Click buttons or links that trigger modals (e.g., "New Session", "Sign In", timer alerts)
  • Closing Modals - You can close modals in several ways:
    • Click the × (close) button in the top-right corner of the modal
    • Click outside the modal (on the darkened overlay background)
    • Press the Escape key (for some modals)
  • Modal Content - Modals contain forms, information, or interactive elements. You can interact with everything inside the modal normally

Common modals you'll encounter:

  • Session Management - Create, edit, load, or delete game sessions
  • Authentication - Sign in, sign up, or reset password
  • Timer Alerts - Notifications when timers expire or trigger events
  • Confirmation Dialogs - Confirm actions like deleting timers or sessions

Slide-in Forms

Timer creation and editing use slide-in panels that appear from the side of the screen. These forms provide a focused interface for creating and modifying timers without navigating away from your current view.

How slide-in forms work:

  • Opening Forms - Click "Add Timer" or the edit button (✎) on an existing timer
  • Form Behavior - The form slides in smoothly from the right side of the screen
  • Closing Forms - You can close slide-in forms by:
    • Clicking the × (close) button
    • Clicking outside the form (on the darkened overlay)
    • Completing the form action (creating or saving a timer)
  • Form Interaction - Fill out the form fields, select options, and click "Create Timer" or "Save" to complete the action

Slide-in forms keep you in context - you can see your timers and reference cards in the background while creating or editing timers, making it easy to reference information as you work.

Scrolling and Visual Navigation

The MutherOS is designed for smooth scrolling and easy navigation:

  • Smooth Scrolling - All navigation uses smooth scrolling animations, making it easy to follow where you're going
  • Visual Highlights - When using Quick Jump, the target section is highlighted for 5 seconds to help you locate it
  • Section Anchors - Each reference card has a unique anchor ID, allowing direct linking to specific sections
  • Keyboard Navigation - You can use standard browser keyboard shortcuts (Page Up/Down, Home/End) to navigate

These navigation features work together to help you quickly find and access the information you need during gameplay, whether you're looking up a panic effect, checking weapon stats, or creating a new timer.

Timers

Timers are essential tools for tracking events during your Mothership RPG sessions. Create countdown timers, repeating events, and stopwatches to keep track of everything happening in your game.

Timer Types

MutherOS supports three types of timers:

Countdown Timer

Counts down from a set duration to zero. Perfect for tracking oxygen depletion, countdowns to critical events, time-limited objectives, or any event with a deadline.

Repeating Timer

Repeats at regular intervals. Useful for periodic checks, recurring events, regular maintenance tasks, or ongoing processes.

Stopwatch

Tracks elapsed time from when it starts. Great for measuring how long something takes, tracking duration of events, timing player actions, or general time tracking.

Creating a Timer

  1. Click the Add Timer button or open the timer panel
  2. Fill in the timer details:
    • Event Name - A descriptive name for your timer
    • Timer Type - Select from Countdown, Repeating, or Stopwatch
    • Duration - Set days, hours, minutes, and seconds
  3. Optionally configure expiration effects, alert text, sound files, character tags, and notes
  4. Click Create Timer

Editing and Deleting Timers

To modify a timer, click the Edit button, make your changes, and save. To remove a timer, click the Delete button and confirm.

Timer Chaining

Timer chaining allows one timer to automatically start another timer when it expires. This is perfect for multi-phase events, progressive conditions, or cascading crises that unfold over time.

How to Set Up Chain Events

  1. Create a timer and set its Expiration Effect to "Chain event"
  2. Configure the chained timer details:
    • Name - The name of the timer that will be created
    • Duration - Days, hours, minutes, and seconds for the chained timer
    • Expiration Effect - What happens when the chained timer expires (can be another chain event for nested chaining)
    • Alert Text - Optional message to display when the chained timer expires
  3. When the parent timer expires, the chained timer is automatically created and starts counting down

Nested Chaining

Chain events can themselves chain to other timers, allowing you to create complex multi-stage sequences. For example, you can create "Infection Stage 1" → "Infection Stage 2" → "Infection Stage 3" all automatically.

Use Cases

  • Progressive Conditions - Track multi-stage infections, diseases, or transformations that worsen over time
  • Multi-Phase Events - Automate complex sequences like "Warning Phase" → "Critical Phase" → "Failure Phase"
  • Cascading Crises - Set up chains of related events that trigger automatically
  • Character-Specific Chains - Character tags are preserved from parent timer to chained timer, so you can track progressive conditions affecting specific PCs

Note: Chained timers are automatically created as countdown timers. The parent timer's character tags are preserved in the chained timer, ensuring continuity when tracking conditions affecting specific player characters.

Dice Roller Integration

The timer creation form includes a built-in dice roller for generating random durations. This is perfect for effects with variable durations like "unconscious for 1d10 minutes" or "freeze for 2d6 rounds".

How to Use the Dice Roller

  1. Open the timer creation form
  2. Find the "Roll Dice" section
  3. Select your die type from the dropdown:
    • Single dice: 1d4, 1d6, 1d8, 1d10, 1d12, 1d20
    • Multiple dice: 2d6, 2d10, 3d6
  4. Select the time unit: Minutes or Hours
  5. Click Roll - The result automatically fills in the corresponding duration field

Example

If you need to create a timer for "unconscious for 1d10 minutes":

  1. Select 1d10 from the die dropdown
  2. Select Minutes from the unit dropdown
  3. Click Roll - If you roll a 7, the Minutes field is automatically set to 7
  4. Complete the rest of the timer form and create the timer

Note: This dice roller is separate from the "Create Timer" button that appears in dice roller results. The form dice roller is for manually creating timers with random durations, while the result button automatically creates timers from time-sensitive roll effects.

Character Tags

Character tags allow you to track which player characters are affected by specific timers. This is essential for managing conditions, effects, or events that target specific PCs.

How to Add Character Tags

  1. When creating or editing a timer, find the Character Tags field
  2. Enter player character names separated by commas (e.g., "Alice, Bob, Charlie")
  3. The tags are automatically parsed and displayed as color-coded badges on the timer

Visual Display

Character tags appear as color-coded badges next to each timer in the timer list. Each tag uses a consistent color based on the character name, making it easy to quickly identify which PCs are affected by which timers.

Use Cases

  • Condition Tracking - Tag timers for unconsciousness, panic effects, or injuries affecting specific characters
  • Effect Management - Track which PCs are affected by environmental hazards, diseases, or ongoing effects
  • Multi-Character Events - Tag timers that affect multiple characters simultaneously
  • Chain Event Continuity - Character tags are automatically preserved when timers chain, ensuring progressive conditions maintain their character associations

Example

If Alice and Bob both fail a panic check and are frozen for 1d10 rounds:

  1. Create a timer named "Panic Check - Freeze"
  2. Enter "Alice, Bob" in the Character Tags field
  3. Use the dice roller to determine duration (e.g., roll 1d10 for rounds)
  4. Both characters' tags appear as badges on the timer, making it clear who is affected

IGUT Clock

The In-Game Universal Time (IGUT) clock helps you track time in your Mothership RPG game world. Set the current time, control playback speed, and adjust time as events unfold.

What is IGUT?

IGUT stands for In-Game Universal Time - the time system used in your game world. The clock displays time in the format: DAY HH:MM:SS

Setting the Current Time

To set the initial time or change the current time, find the IGUT Clock section, click Set Time, and enter the day, hour, minute, and second values.

Playback Controls

  • Pause - Stops time progression
  • 1x Speed - Normal time progression (1 second = 1 second)
  • 10x Speed - Time moves 10 times faster
  • 60x Speed - Time moves 60 times faster

Time Adjustment Buttons

Quick buttons to adjust time forward: +10s, +1m, +10m, +1h, +6h, +1d. These instantly adjust the clock forward by the specified amount.

Dice Rollers

MutherOS includes built-in dice rollers for all the common rolls you need in Mothership RPG.

Available Rollers

  • Panic Check - Rolls 2d10 vs Stress stat. On failure, adds Stress to roll total and looks up panic effect from table. Shows success/failure result with panic effect if applicable.
  • Life Support Calculator - Calculates oxygen days remaining: (Ship's Hull ÷ Number of Humans) × 1d10 = Days of Oxygen. Requires hull and human count inputs.
  • Hit Location - Rolls 1d10 to determine body part hit (Head, Torso, Arm, Leg, etc.). Uses Mothership RPG hit location table.
  • Healing - Rolls d100 vs Body stat. Success heals health equal to margin of success (doubled on critical success ≤5). Critical failure (≥96) causes additional damage.
  • Unconsciousness/Death - Rolls 1d10 when character reaches 0 health to determine consciousness recovery time. Uses unconsciousness duration table.
  • Ship Critical Hits - Rolls d100 for ship damage effects. Uses comprehensive ship critical hit table with various system failures and damage types.
  • Combat Critical Hits - Rolls 2d10 (severity × location) using matrix system. First d10 determines severity level, second d10 determines body location, then looks up combined effect from matrix.

How to Use

Each dice roller has its own input requirements:

  • Panic Check - Enter the character's current Stress value
  • Life Support Calculator - Enter the ship's Hull value and number of humans aboard
  • Healing - Enter the character's Body stat value
  • Hit Location, Unconsciousness/Death, Ship Critical Hits, Combat Critical Hits - No inputs required, just click the roll button

Find the roller you need in the reference section, enter any required values, click the roll button, and the result will display in the result box below. All rollers use official Mothership RPG tables loaded from JSON data.

Time-Sensitive Roll Integration

When any dice roller result contains a time-based effect (e.g., "unconscious for 1d10 minutes", "freeze for 1d10 rounds"), a "Create Timer" button automatically appears in the result box.

Clicking the button:

  1. Automatically rolls the time dice (e.g., rolls 1d10 if effect says "1d10 minutes")
  2. Pre-fills the timer creation form with:
    • Event name (set to the table name, e.g., "Panic Check", "Combat Critical Hits")
    • Duration (using the rolled value and appropriate unit)
    • Notes field (contains the full effect text)
  3. Opens the timer popup for review and creation

This feature supports various time units: minutes, hours, days, rounds, and turns. It also handles stress-based rolls (e.g., "Stress × d10 days") by multiplying the stress value. This eliminates manual transcription and ensures accuracy when converting card effects into active timers.

Reference Cards

Reference cards provide quick access to all Mothership RPG rules, tables, and information you need during gameplay.

Available Card Types

MutherOS includes 22 reference card categories covering all aspects of Mothership RPG gameplay:

Combat & Weapons

  • Weapons - Personal weapons table with cost, damage, range, crit effects, shots, and special properties
  • Ship Weapons - Ship-mounted weapons and their stats including damage, shots, and special rules
  • Combat Critical Hits - 2d10 matrix system for combat injury effects (severity × location)
  • Ship Critical Hits - d100 table for ship damage effects and system failures

Character Stats & Mechanics

  • Stats - Character statistics (Strength, Speed, Intellect, Combat) and their uses
  • Saves - Save types (Sanity, Fear, Body, Armor) and when to use them
  • Class Stress & Panic - Class-specific panic effects for Teamster, Scientist, Android, and Marine
  • (Dis)Advantage - Conditions that grant advantage or disadvantage on rolls
  • Opposed Rolls - Rules for resolving opposed roll situations

Panic & Stress

  • Panic Check - Panic check rules and comprehensive effects table (2d10 + Stress)

Health & Recovery

  • Healing - Body save healing rules and recovery mechanics
  • Unconsciousness & Death - Recovery table when character reaches 0 health
  • Addiction - Rules for drug addiction, withdrawal, and overdose effects

Equipment & Items

  • Equipment - Comprehensive equipment table with costs and descriptions

Ship Systems

  • Ship-to-Ship Combat - Ship combat mechanics and rules
  • Ship Upgrades & Repairs - Repair and upgrade rules, costs, and requirements
  • Fuel - Fuel consumption rates for normal travel, hyperspace jumps, and orbit
  • Life Support Down - Oxygen depletion effects and survival mechanics

Travel & Exploration

  • Space Travel Times - Travel duration by ship speed (interplanetary, interstellar, intergalactic)
  • Food & Water - Survival requirements and effects of deprivation

NPCs & Advancement

  • Mercenaries' Stats - NPC mercenary statistics and mechanics
  • XP to Level Up - Experience point requirements by level (0-10)

Viewing Reference Cards

There are several ways to access reference cards during gameplay:

Quick Jump Menu

The Quick Jump dropdown menu in the navbar provides instant access to any card category. The menu lists all 22 card categories alphabetically for easy navigation.

To use Quick Jump:

  1. Click the Quick Jump dropdown in the top navigation bar
  2. Select the card category you want to view
  3. The page automatically scrolls to that card section
  4. The selected card is highlighted with a visual indicator for 5 seconds

Scrolling Navigation

All reference cards are displayed in a scrollable list on the main MutherOS page. Simply scroll down to browse through all available card categories. Cards are organized by category, each with a unique section ID for direct linking.

Direct Linking

Each card has a unique anchor ID (e.g., #weapons, #panic) that allows direct linking to specific cards. You can bookmark specific cards or share links to them.

Card Features

Reference cards include several helpful features to enhance your gameplay experience:

Search and Filtering

The Equipment and Weapons cards include search/filter functionality. Use the search box at the top of these cards to quickly find specific items by name, cost, or description. This is especially useful when you have many custom items added to your collection.

Custom Items Integration

Custom equipment and weapons you create are automatically integrated into their respective reference cards. Custom items appear alongside the standard items and can be filtered and searched just like standard items. Custom items are saved with your session and included in session exports.

Card Display Formats

Reference cards use different display formats depending on the type of information:

  • Tables (most common) - Structured data with headers and rows, perfect for equipment lists, stat tables, and rule references
  • Effects Lists - Roll-based effect tables with roll ranges and descriptions (Panic Check, Ship Critical Hits, Combat Critical Hits)
  • Info Cards - Text-based information cards with rules and explanations (Healing, Advantage/Disadvantage)
  • Complex Cards - Cards with multiple sections including tables, footer rules, and additional information (Weapons with footer rules, Combat Critical Hits with matrix system)

Custom Items

Custom Items allow you to create your own equipment and weapons that integrate seamlessly into the Equipment and Weapons reference cards. Add house-ruled items, campaign-specific gear, or custom content to enhance your Mothership RPG sessions.

What are Custom Items?

Custom Items are user-created equipment and weapons that appear alongside the standard Mothership RPG items in their respective reference card tables. Custom items:

  • Appear in the same tables as standard items with visual distinction
  • Can be searched and filtered just like standard items
  • Are saved locally in your browser (cloud sync coming soon for all authenticated users)
  • Are included in session exports and imports
  • Can be edited or deleted at any time

Storage and Sync

Custom items use a local-first storage approach:

  • Local Storage - All custom items are saved to your browser's local storage immediately, ensuring they persist even if you're offline
  • Cloud Sync - Coming soon! Cloud sync will be available for all authenticated users, allowing access across devices
  • Session Integration - Custom items are included when you export sessions and restored when you import sessions

Adding Custom Equipment

To add a custom equipment item:

  1. Navigate to the Equipment reference card (scroll to the Equipment section or use Quick Jump)
  2. Click the + Add Custom Item button above the equipment table
  3. Fill in the form fields:
    • Cost - The cost of the item (e.g., "500", "1,200")
    • Item Name - The name of the equipment item (required)
    • Description - A description of what the item does (required)
  4. Click Add or press Enter to save

The custom equipment item will immediately appear in the equipment table with a visual indicator showing it's a custom item. It will be saved automatically to your local storage. Cloud sync will be available with the premium service.

Adding Custom Weapons

To add a custom weapon:

  1. Navigate to the Weapons reference card (scroll to the Weapons section or use Quick Jump)
  2. Click the + Add Custom Item button above the weapons table
  3. Fill in the form fields:
    • Cost - The cost of the weapon (e.g., "1,200", "5,000")
    • Weapon Name - The name of the weapon (required)
    • DMG - Damage value (e.g., "1d10", "2d10")
    • Range - Weapon range (e.g., "Close", "Near", "Far")
    • Crit - Critical hit effect or value
    • Shots - Number of shots or ammo capacity
    • Special - Special properties or rules for the weapon
  4. Click Add or press Enter to save

The custom weapon will immediately appear in the weapons table with a visual indicator showing it's a custom item. It will be saved automatically to your local storage. Cloud sync will be available with the premium service.

Editing Custom Items

To edit an existing custom item:

  1. Find the custom item in the Equipment or Weapons table
  2. Click the ✎ (edit) button in the Actions column for that item
  3. The edit form will open with the current values pre-filled
  4. Modify any fields you want to change
  5. Click Save or press Enter to apply changes

All changes are saved immediately. You can edit any field of a custom item, including cost, name, description, and all weapon-specific fields (DMG, Range, Crit, Shots, Special).

Deleting Custom Items

To delete a custom item:

  1. Find the custom item in the Equipment or Weapons table
  2. Click the × (delete) button in the Actions column for that item
  3. Confirm deletion in the confirmation dialog

Warning: Deleting a custom item permanently removes it from your collection. This action cannot be undone unless you have exported your sessions beforehand. The item will be removed from local storage.

Session Integration

Custom items are fully integrated with the session management system:

Exporting Sessions

When you export sessions, all custom equipment and weapons are included in the export file. This means:

  • You can backup your custom items by exporting your sessions
  • You can share custom items with other users by sharing session export files
  • Custom items are preserved when migrating to a new device or account

Importing Sessions

When you import sessions from a JSON file:

  • If the import file contains custom items, they will be automatically added to your custom items collection
  • Custom items from the import are merged with your existing custom items
  • You'll see a confirmation message indicating how many custom items were imported
  • Imported custom items are immediately available in the Equipment and Weapons tables

Tips for Using Custom Items

  • Use Descriptive Names - Give your custom items clear, descriptive names so they're easy to find when searching
  • Follow Standard Format - When creating custom weapons, follow the same format as standard weapons (DMG, Range, Crit, Shots, Special) for consistency
  • Export Regularly - Export your sessions periodically to backup your custom items collection
  • Search and Filter - Use the search functionality in Equipment and Weapons tables to quickly find your custom items among standard items
  • Visual Distinction - Custom items are visually distinguished in the tables, making them easy to identify at a glance

Session Tables

Session Tables are tracking tools that help you manage important game information during your Mothership RPG sessions. Both the Quartermaster table and House Rules table are session-based, meaning they require an active session and automatically save with your session data.

What are Session Tables?

Session Tables are interactive tables that allow you to track and manage specific types of information during gameplay:

  • Quartermaster Table - Track which player characters have which important items
  • House Rules Table - Document your custom homebrew rules and campaign-specific variants

Both tables are collapsible sections on the main MutherOS and integrate seamlessly with the session management system. All data is automatically saved with your session and persists across browser sessions.

Session Requirements

Both Session Tables require an active session to function:

  • You must create or load a session before you can add, edit, or delete entries
  • If no session is active, the tables will display a message prompting you to create or load a session
  • All entries are saved automatically with your session data
  • When you switch sessions, each session maintains its own separate table entries

Quartermaster Table

The Quartermaster table helps you track which player characters have which important items during your game. This is perfect for managing key cards, important equipment, mission-critical items, or any items that need to be tracked across your session.

What is the Quartermaster Table?

The Quartermaster table displays a list of important items and tracks:

  • Item Name - The name of the item being tracked
  • Given To - Which player character currently has the item
  • Location/Notes - Additional information about where the item is or relevant notes
  • Actions - Edit and delete buttons for managing entries

Adding a Quartermaster Item

To add a new item to the Quartermaster table:

  1. Ensure you have an active session (create or load one if needed)
  2. Scroll to the Quartermaster section on the MutherOS
  3. Click the + Add Item button
  4. Fill in the form fields:
    • Item Name - Enter the name of the item (required, e.g., "Master Key Card", "Security Badge")
    • Given To - Enter the player character name who has the item (optional, e.g., "Sarah", "Marcus")
    • Location/Notes - Add any additional information about the item's location or relevant notes (optional)
  5. Click Add Item or press Enter

The item will immediately appear in the table and be automatically saved with your session.

Editing a Quartermaster Item

To modify an existing Quartermaster item:

  1. Find the item in the Quartermaster table
  2. Click the ✎ (edit) button in the Actions column
  3. The edit form will open with the current values pre-filled
  4. Modify any fields you want to change (Item Name, Given To, Location/Notes)
  5. Click Update Item or press Enter

Changes are saved automatically with your session.

Deleting a Quartermaster Item

To remove an item from the Quartermaster table:

  1. Find the item in the Quartermaster table
  2. Click the × (delete) button in the Actions column
  3. Confirm deletion in the confirmation dialog

Warning: Deleting an item permanently removes it from your session. This action cannot be undone unless you have exported your session beforehand.

Use Cases for Quartermaster Table

  • Key Cards and Access Items - Track which players have security badges, key cards, or access codes
  • Important Equipment - Monitor distribution of mission-critical equipment or tools
  • Quest Items - Keep track of important items needed for objectives or story progression
  • Item Location Tracking - Use the Location/Notes field to track where items are stored or located
  • Player Inventory Management - Quickly see who has what important items at a glance

House Rules Table

The House Rules table allows you to document and track your custom homebrew rules, campaign-specific variants, and any modifications you've made to the standard Mothership RPG rules. This helps you maintain consistency and quickly reference your custom rules during gameplay.

What is the House Rules Table?

The House Rules table displays a list of your custom rules and tracks:

  • Rule Name - A short name or title for the rule
  • Description - Detailed explanation of the rule and how it works
  • Category/Tags - Optional categorization or tags to help organize rules (e.g., "Combat", "Exploration", "Social")
  • Actions - Edit and delete buttons for managing entries

Adding a House Rule

To add a new house rule:

  1. Ensure you have an active session (create or load one if needed)
  2. Scroll to the House Rules section on the MutherOS
  3. Click the + Add Rule button
  4. Fill in the form fields:
    • Rule Name - Enter a short, descriptive name for the rule (required, e.g., "Critical Hit Variant", "Stress Recovery Rule")
    • Description - Provide a detailed explanation of the rule, how it works, and when it applies (optional)
    • Category/Tags - Add categories or tags to help organize your rules (optional, e.g., "Combat, Exploration" or "Social")
  5. Click Add Rule or press Enter

The rule will immediately appear in the table and be automatically saved with your session.

Editing a House Rule

To modify an existing house rule:

  1. Find the rule in the House Rules table
  2. Click the ✎ (edit) button in the Actions column
  3. The edit form will open with the current values pre-filled
  4. Modify any fields you want to change (Rule Name, Description, Category/Tags)
  5. Click Update Rule or press Enter

Changes are saved automatically with your session.

Deleting a House Rule

To remove a house rule:

  1. Find the rule in the House Rules table
  2. Click the × (delete) button in the Actions column
  3. Confirm deletion in the confirmation dialog

Warning: Deleting a rule permanently removes it from your session. This action cannot be undone unless you have exported your session beforehand.

Use Cases for House Rules Table

  • Custom Mechanics - Document variant rules or custom mechanics you've added to your game
  • Campaign-Specific Rules - Track rules that apply only to your specific campaign or setting
  • Rule Clarifications - Keep notes on how you interpret or apply certain rules in your game
  • Player Agreements - Document any special agreements or modifications made with your players
  • Quick Reference - Maintain a quick reference list of your house rules for easy access during gameplay
  • Rule Organization - Use categories/tags to organize rules by type (Combat, Exploration, Social, etc.)

Session Integration

Both Session Tables are fully integrated with the session management system:

Auto-Save

All changes to Quartermaster items and House Rules are automatically saved with your session using a debounced save mechanism. Changes are saved 5 seconds after your last modification, ensuring your data is preserved without excessive save operations.

Session Switching

Each session maintains its own separate set of Quartermaster items and House Rules. When you switch between sessions:

  • The current session's data is automatically saved before switching
  • The new session's data is loaded and displayed
  • Each session's tables are completely independent

Session Export and Import

When you export sessions, Quartermaster items and House Rules are included in the export file:

  • Export - All Quartermaster items and House Rules are included when you export sessions
  • Import - When importing sessions, Quartermaster items and House Rules are restored along with other session data
  • Backup - Regular session exports serve as backups for your table data

Data Persistence

All Session Table data is stored locally in your browser:

  • Data persists between browser sessions on the same device
  • Data is saved as part of your session in browser local storage
  • Cloud sync for Session Tables will be available in the future for authenticated users

Sessions

Sessions allow you to save your game state and return to it later. Create multiple sessions for different games, campaigns, or scenarios. Each session stores your IGUT clock time, active timers, player names, and all game state data.

Creating a New Session

To create a new session, click the Session menu and select New Session. A session creation form will appear where you can:

  • Session Name - Enter a unique name for your session (required). This name will be used to identify the session in your session list.
  • Players - Optionally enter player names separated by commas (e.g., "Alice, Bob, Charlie"). You can add or modify these later.

Click Create to create the session. If a session with the same name already exists, you'll be prompted to confirm whether you want to overwrite it. The new session starts with default values: Day 1, IGUT time 00:00:00, no active timers, and any player names you specified.

Editing Sessions

You can modify an existing session's name and player list at any time. To edit a session:

  1. Open the Session Management menu
  2. Find the session you want to edit in the list
  3. Click the ✎ (edit) button next to the session
  4. Modify the session name and/or player names in the form
  5. Click Save to apply changes, or Cancel to discard them

If you change the session name, the session will be renamed. If you're editing the currently active session, the changes will be reflected immediately in the interface.

Deleting Sessions

To remove a session permanently:

  1. Open the Session Management menu
  2. Find the session you want to delete in the list
  3. Click the × (delete) button next to the session
  4. Confirm deletion in the confirmation dialog

Warning: Deleting a session permanently removes all saved data including timers, IGUT time, and player information. If you delete the currently active session, the application will reset to default state (Day 1, 00:00:00, no timers). This action cannot be undone unless you have exported the session beforehand.

Switching Sessions

To switch between different sessions without opening the full Session Management menu:

  1. Click the ↔ (switch) button next to the current session name in the header
  2. A session selector modal will appear showing all available sessions
  3. The current session is highlighted in the list
  4. Click Load on any session to switch to it

When you switch sessions, the current session is automatically saved before loading the new one. The new session loads with all its saved state including IGUT time, active timers, and player names.

Loading an Existing Session

There are multiple ways to load an existing session:

  • From Session Management - Open the Session menu, find the session in the list, and click Load
  • From Session Selector - Click the switch button (↔) next to the current session name and select a session
  • Click Session Name - Click directly on the current session name in the header to open the session selector

When a session loads, it restores:

  • IGUT clock time (day, hour, minute, second)
  • All active timers with their remaining time
  • Player names associated with the session
  • Custom items (stored locally)
  • All other saved game state

Importing Sessions

You can import sessions from a previously exported JSON file. This is useful for:

  • Restoring sessions from a backup
  • Sharing sessions between devices or users
  • Migrating sessions to a new account

To import sessions:

  1. Open the Session Management menu
  2. Click 📤 Import Sessions in the Sessions section
  3. Select a JSON file from your computer (must be a valid MutherOS export file)

Import Modes: When importing, you'll be prompted to choose how to handle conflicts:

  • Merge Mode - Keeps existing sessions and adds new ones. Existing sessions with the same name are skipped.
  • Overwrite Mode - Replaces all existing sessions with the imported sessions. This will delete sessions that aren't in the import file.

If the import file contains custom items (equipment and weapons), they will also be imported and added to your custom items collection.

Exporting Sessions

Export all your sessions to a JSON file for backup or sharing purposes. The export includes:

  • All session data (names, IGUT time, timers, player names)
  • Custom items (equipment and weapons you've created)
  • Export metadata (version, timestamp)

To export sessions:

  1. Open the Session Management menu
  2. Click 📥 Export Sessions in the Sessions section
  3. A JSON file will be downloaded with a filename like warden-sessions-YYYY-MM-DDTHH-MM-SS.json

The export file format includes version information, export timestamp, all sessions, and custom items. You can use this file to restore your sessions on another device or share with other users.

Auto-save

Sessions are automatically saved whenever you make changes. The auto-save system uses a debounced save mechanism that waits 5 seconds after your last change before saving, preventing excessive save operations while you're actively making changes.

Save Triggers: Sessions automatically save when:

  • Timers are created, modified, or deleted
  • IGUT clock time changes (manual adjustments or playback)
  • The day value changes
  • Player names are modified
  • Session information is edited

Save Status Indicator: A status indicator appears next to the session name showing the current save state:

  • 💾 Saving... - Session is currently being saved (blue indicator)
  • ✓ Saved - Session was successfully saved (green indicator, currently shows "Saved (Local)" for all users; cloud sync coming soon)
  • ⚠️ Save Failed - An error occurred while saving (red indicator)

The status indicator automatically clears after 3 seconds of showing a successful save. If you see a save error, check your browser storage permissions (all saves are currently local).

Player Management

Each session can have a list of player names associated with it. This helps you track which players are participating in each game session.

Adding Players: You can add players when creating a new session or editing an existing one. Enter player names separated by commas in the Players field (e.g., "Alice, Bob, Charlie"). The system will automatically parse the comma-separated list.

Editing Players: To modify the player list for an existing session, edit the session and update the Players field. You can add new players, remove players, or change player names. Changes are saved when you click Save.

Player Display: Player names are displayed in the session list, making it easy to identify sessions at a glance. The current session's players are also shown in the session header.

Authentication

MutherOS offers multiple ways to sign in. Choose the method that works best for you.

Sign-In Methods

  • Email/Password - Traditional sign-in using your email address
  • Google Sign-In - Quick sign-in with your Google account
  • GitHub Sign-In - Sign in with your GitHub account
  • Anonymous Mode - Try MutherOS without creating an account (limited features)

Anonymous Mode - Try MutherOS without creating an account (limited features)

Anonymous mode allows you to try MutherOS without creating an account. It's essentially a static web version of the MutherOS that runs entirely in your browser using local storage. This mode is perfect for quick tests, offline play, or trying out the basic features before committing to an account.

Note: Currently, even logged-in users save all data locally in their browser. Cloud sync and network features are coming soon for authenticated users.

What Works in Anonymous Mode

The following features are fully available in anonymous mode, but all data is stored locally in your browser only:

  • Timers - Create countdown timers, repeating timers, and stopwatches
  • IGUT Clock - Track in-game time with variable playback speeds
  • Dice Rollers - All dice rolling features (panic checks, hit locations, critical hits, etc.)
  • Reference Cards - Access all game rules, tables, and reference materials
  • Custom Items - Create custom equipment and weapons (stored locally only)
  • Local Sessions - Create and manage sessions stored in your browser's local storage
  • Manual Export/Import - Export your sessions to JSON files for backup or sharing

What's Disabled in Anonymous Mode

Anonymous mode does not include cloud-based features or interactive multiplayer capabilities. Note that these features are also not yet available for logged-in users, but are coming soon:

  • Cloud Sync - No cloud storage or synchronization between devices. All data exists only in your browser's local storage. (Coming soon for authenticated users)
  • Network Features - Cannot create or access networks, locations, hardware devices, or network terminals (Coming soon)
  • Terminal Designer - Cannot create or edit custom terminals (Coming soon)
  • Player Terminals - Cannot generate player access codes or share terminals with players (Coming soon)
  • Multi-Device Access - Sessions and data cannot be accessed from other devices or browsers (Cloud sync coming soon)
  • Cloud Session Management - Cannot save sessions to the cloud or access them from other devices (Coming soon)
  • Custom Items Cloud Sync - Custom items are stored locally only and won't sync across devices. Cloud sync for custom items will be available with the premium service (along with network and terminals features)

Data Storage in Anonymous Mode

In anonymous mode, all data is stored in your browser's local storage. This means:

  • Data persists between sessions on the same browser and device
  • Data is cleared if you clear your browser cache or use private/incognito mode
  • Data cannot be accessed from other devices or browsers
  • You can export your data to JSON files for backup or migration

Upgrading from Anonymous Mode

If you've been using anonymous mode and want to upgrade to a full account:

  1. Export your sessions using the Export Sessions feature before signing up
  2. Create an account using Email/Password, Google, or GitHub sign-in
  3. Import your exported sessions into your new account
  4. Your custom items will need to be recreated (they're stored locally and can't be migrated automatically)
Tip: Anonymous mode is great for trying out MutherOS. Currently, both anonymous and logged-in users save data locally. Cloud sync and network features are coming soon for authenticated users, so creating an account now prepares you for these upcoming features.

Creating an Account

Creating an account prepares you for upcoming features like cloud sync, network management, and terminals. Currently, all users (including logged-in users) save data locally in their browser. Cloud sync and advanced features will be available in the near future. Choose your preferred sign-in method and follow the prompts to create your account.

Password Reset

If you forget your password, click Forgot Password on the sign-in screen and follow the instructions sent to your email.

Network Guide

Coming Soon: The Network feature will let you create immersive computer interfaces for your players. Build networks of locations, hardware devices, and terminals that players can interact with during your game. This feature will be available to all authenticated users in the near future.

What is a Network?

A network represents a computer system in your game world with locations (physical places), hardware (devices like cameras, servers, sensors), and terminals (interactive computer interfaces).

Using Networks

Access the network management page to view all available networks. When viewing a network, you'll see network information, list of locations, hardware devices, and terminals.

Hardware Devices

Hardware devices are the physical components of your network including cameras, servers, sensors, and workstations. Some devices may have custom commands or functions.

Using Terminals

Terminals are interactive computer interfaces players can access. Navigate to a network, go to a location, find the terminal you want, and click to open it.

Terminals Guide

Coming Soon: Terminals are interactive computer interfaces that players can use during your game. They provide a retro-futuristic computer experience with menus, content, and commands. This feature will be available to all authenticated users in the near future.

Accessing Terminals

Navigate to a network, go to a location, find the terminal you want, and click to open it. Terminals may be listed by location, by network, or as part of hardware devices.

Using Terminals

Navigate terminals using mouse, keyboard, or touch. Terminals use menu-driven navigation where you select options from menus to navigate through content.

Terminal Features

Terminals may have different visual themes, display various content types (text, data, menus, forms), and support command execution or interactive functions.

Sharing Sessions

Coming Soon: Direct session sharing between devices and users will be available in the future along with network features. This will allow you to collaborate with other players and share your game sessions in real-time.

Current Sharing Method

Currently, you can share sessions by exporting them to JSON files:

  1. Export your sessions using the Export Sessions feature (see Sessions section for details)
  2. Share the exported JSON file with other users via email, file sharing service, or other method
  3. The recipient can import the file using the Import Sessions feature

This method works for sharing sessions between devices or with other users, but requires manual file transfer. Direct cloud-based sharing will be available in the near future.

Future Sharing Features

When session sharing is released, you'll be able to:

  • Share sessions directly with specific users
  • Generate shareable links for sessions
  • Set sharing permissions (View Only, Edit, Owner)
  • Collaborate in real-time with other players

Common Issues

Troubleshooting guide for common problems you might encounter while using MutherOS.

Sign-In Problems

Can't Sign In

Solutions:

  • Check your internet connection
  • Verify your email/password is correct
  • Try resetting your password
  • Clear browser cache and cookies
  • Try a different browser

OAuth Not Working

Solutions:

  • Allow popups for the site
  • Check popup blocker settings
  • Try a different sign-in method
  • Clear browser cache

Session Issues

Session Not Saving

Solutions:

  • Check browser storage permissions (sessions save locally)
  • Wait a moment for auto-save (saves occur 5 seconds after changes)
  • Try manually refreshing
  • Check browser console for errors

Session Not Loading

Solutions:

  • Refresh the page
  • Check if session was deleted
  • Verify you're using the same browser and device (sessions are stored locally)
  • Check browser console for errors

Timer Problems

Timer Not Working

Solutions:

  • Refresh the page
  • Check if timer is paused
  • Delete and recreate the timer
  • Try a different browser

Clock Issues

IGUT Clock Not Updating

Solutions:

  • Check if clock is paused
  • Click play/resume button
  • Refresh the page
  • Check playback speed setting

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What is MutherOS?

MutherOS is a digital reference screen for Mothership RPG that helps game wardens manage their sessions with tools for tracking time, managing timers, rolling dice, and accessing game rules.

Do I need to install anything?

No, MutherOS is a web-based application. Just open it in your web browser. No installation required.

Is MutherOS free?

Yes, MutherOS is free to use. Currently, all features work with local storage, even for logged-in users. Cloud sync and network features are coming soon and will be available to all authenticated users.

Account Questions

How do I create an account?

You can create an account using email and password, Google sign-in, or GitHub sign-in. Click "Sign In" and choose your preferred method.

What if I forget my password?

Click "Forgot Password" on the sign-in screen and follow the instructions sent to your email.

Session Questions

How do I save my session?

Sessions save automatically. You don't need to manually save. Your session saves when timers change, IGUT time updates, or periodically during use.

Can I have multiple sessions?

Yes, you can create and manage multiple sessions for different games or campaigns.

Feature Questions

How do timers work?

Timers track events in your game. You can create countdown timers, repeating timers, or stopwatches. See the Timers Guide for details.

What is IGUT?

IGUT stands for In-Game Universal Time - the time system in your game world. The IGUT clock helps you track time during your sessions. See the IGUT Clock Guide for details.

Technical Questions

Does MutherOS work offline?

Yes! MutherOS works fully offline. All data is currently saved locally in your browser, so you can use all features without an internet connection. Cloud sync (coming soon) will require an internet connection when it's available.

Can I use MutherOS on mobile?

Yes, MutherOS works on mobile devices and tablets through your web browser.

Stay alert. Trust no one. Keep your helmet on. 💀