Death Stranding RPG

a story of a post-apocalyptic America where a cataclysmic event, the Death Stranding, has connected the world of the dead and living, causing ghostly Beached Things (BTs) to appear and triggering destructive explosions called voidouts.

BTs (Beached Things) are ghostly, otherworldly entities that play a central role in the game’s world and story. They represent the connection between the world of the living and the afterlife — a result of the cataclysmic event known as the Death Stranding.What BTs AreBTs (Beached Things) are souls of the dead that failed to cross over properly to the afterlife (called the “Beach”).

Instead, they remain stranded between worlds, invisible to most humans.

Their presence causes immense danger — physical and metaphysical — because contact between a BT and a living human can trigger a “voidout”, a massive antimatter explosion that destroys everything nearby.

BT Types:

BTs come in several forms and levels of strength:

Normal BTs

Appear as floating, humanoid silhouettes tethered to the ground by black umbilical cords.

Invisible to the eye, but detectable using a BB (Bridge Baby) paired with a Odradek scanner.

They try to pull living humans into tar pits, leading to a voidout if successful.

Catcher BTs

Larger and more powerful BTs resembling animals or monsters made of tar, such as lions, whales, or squids.

They appear when is caught by normal BTs and dragged into a tar battlefield.

Defeating them yields Chiral Crystals and clears the area temporarily of BTs.

Beached Beasts / Boss BTs

Gigantic, unique BTs linked to major story events or characters, such as Higgs’ giant whale BT or Amelie’s manifestation on her Beach.

They represent personal or emotional connections to the Beach.Gazers and Hunters (Minor Types)Gazers float in the air scanning for life.

Hunters are the tar hands that reach up from the ground when you’re spotted, trying to drag you in.

The Beach and the AfterlifeEvery person in Death Stranding has their own personal Beach, a kind of limbo between life and death.

The Death Stranding event caused these Beaches to start overlapping with the real world, allowing BTs to appear in the living realm. This merging is what destroyed most of civilization and made death so dangerous.

How BTs Are Detected Normal people can’t see BTs.

Bridge Babies (BBs) can sense them, because they’re infants whose mothers died — meaning the BB exists between life and death.

The Odradek scanner connected to BBs spins and points toward nearby BTs, lighting up faster and brighter as they get closer.

Combat and Avoidance BTs can be avoided by holding your breath and moving slowly to prevent detection.

They can be fought using bodily fluids (blood, urine, sweat), because the body is unique — it’s naturally repellent to BTs. Hematic grenades, anti-BT handguns, and blood-based bullets are made from blood. Destroying BTs yields Chiral Crystals, a valuable resource used for crafting.

VoidoutsWhen a BT consumes a human, it causes a voidout — a massive explosion that wipes out everything in the surrounding area.

That’s why corpses must be cremated quickly — otherwise, they “necrotize” and become BTs themselves.

SymbolismBTs represent:Grief and connection — people who can’t let go.Death and rebirth — the cycle that defines humanity.Isolation and reconnection — a central theme of the game, mirroring Sam’s journey to reconnect America.

Reverse Trikes (Motorcycles)Light, fast, and highly maneuverable — perfect for rough terrain and short-distance travel.

Reverse Trike (Long Range)Description: The basic electric bike, designed for long-distance travel.

Speed: High.Battery life: Long (best endurance among trikes).Cargo capacity: Limited — can carry small to medium loads on the back or front.Best use: General travel, light cargo runs, or scouting routes.

Reverse Trike (Defensive)Description: Equipped with reinforced plating on the front and sides.

Speed: Slightly slower than Long Range.Battery life: Moderate.Cargo capacity: Medium.Best use: Travel through hostile areas with MULEs or Timefall — extra protection against gunfire and collisions.

Reverse Trike (Ride Type) – “Roadster”Description: Sleeker, faster trike with a sport-bike feel.

Speed: Very high.Battery life: Moderate.Cargo capacity: Small (less practical, more fun).Best use: Speed.

TrucksHeavier, slower vehicles built for mass cargo transport and combat durability.

Truck (Long Range)

Description: The basic cargo truck.

Speed: Medium. Battery life: Long. Cargo capacity: Very high — can store multiple large containers inside and on the flatbed. Best use: Long deliveries across developed routes or highways.

Note: Slower off-road, so best used on rebuilt roads or open plains.

Truck (Defensive)

Description: Armored version of the cargo truck.

Speed: Slower. Battery life: Medium. Cargo capacity: Slightly reduced due to armor weight. Best use: Hostile zones with MULEs or Terrorists (Homo Demens) shooting at you. Extra: Can withstand explosions and gunfire better.

Floating Carriers Not full vehicles, but hovering cargo platforms that follow Sam around.

Description: Small anti-gravity sleds that float behind Sam, carrying cargo automatically. Capacity: Each can carry about 300–400 kg. Quantity: Up to two can be towed at once. Alternate use: Can also be ridden downhill like a hoverboard. Best use: Rough terrain where vehicles can’t go, or when traveling through BT territory quietly.

Support and Unique Vehicles.

Roadster (Time Trial Vehicle)

Description: A sports car used in the new Racetrack feature at the Timefall Farm.

Speed: Very high. Battery life: Moderate (for racing, not delivery). Note: Can’t carry cargo — purely for racing.

Support Skeletons (Exosuits)Technically not vehicles, but wearable mobility enhancers that function similarly: Power Skeleton: Boosts speed and weight capacity. Speed Skeleton: Greatly increases running speed.

All-Terrain Skeleton: Improves stability and grip on slopes.

Stabilizer: Reduces fall damage and allows controlled landings.

Vehicle Power and MaintenanceAll vehicles are battery-powered.

Batteries can be recharged via:Timefall SheltersGenerators (buildable or pre-existing)

Vehicles can be stored or repaired in:Distribution CentersSafe Houses

MULEs (Bandits)Former deliverymen obsessed with stealing cargo.

Nature: Human enemies addicted to the thrill of deliveries.

Goal: Steal cargo and claim it for themselves. Behavior: Patrol their camps with cargo scanners; if they detect you, they’ll attack with non-lethal weapons.

Equipment: Electroshock spears and Bolas (for stunning or trapping you).

Trucks and trikes for transport. Sensor towers to detect nearby porters.

Strategy:Can be stunned or knocked out with punches, Bola Gun, or non-lethal firearms.Killing them causes corpse necrosis, which can create new BTs — so lethal methods are risky.Stealth or pacifism is often best.

Terrorists (Homo Demens)Human enemies who want chaos and voidouts.

Nature: Radical human faction opposed to the UCA (United Cities of America).Base: Centered around Edge Knot City and the South Region. Goal: Prevent humanity from reconnecting by using violence and explosives.

Corpse BTs:

Dead humans who haven’t been cremated in time. Cause: Any human corpse left for over 48 hours becomes a BT. Result: Dangerous in settlements — must be taken to an Incinerator Facility to prevent voidouts. Impact: Drives the need for corpse disposal missions early in the story.

Drawbridge:

Drawbridge is the reconstruction and logistics division of the United Cities of America (UCA).It’s essentially a government-backed organization that manages rebuilding and reconnecting America after the Death Stranding disaster.

Purpose & Role:

Official UCA branch: Oversees infrastructure like roads, bridges, ziplines, and safehouses.Supports Porters: Provides (and other independent porters) with tools, materials, and contracts.

Manages Chiral Network expansion: When you connect a location to the network, Drawbridge handles the logistics of supplying and rebuilding that area.

Operations:

Maintains shared structures players can use online — roads, generators, etc. Automated delivery bots are under its control. Works with Bridges Corp, which is the primary organization founded by Bridget and Amelie Strand (Sam’s mother and sister). In short, Drawbridge - the UCA’s infrastructure and logistics arm, focusing on rebuilding civilization through technology and cooperation.

Fragile Express:

Fragile Express is a private, independent delivery company, separate from the UCA and Drawbridge.It’s led by Fragile, the character who assists Sam throughout the story.

Purpose & Role:

Originally a commercial delivery service before the collapse.After the Death Stranding, it continued operating independently across the fractured landscape.

Fragile seeks to redeem the company’s reputation after an incident where it was framed for a terrorist attack by Higgs, her former partner.

Operations:

Fragile has a unique ability called “Fragile Jump”, allowing her to teleport across vast distances using the Chiral Network. Her company mainly focuses on high-risk, long-distance deliveries, often going where others won’t. Unlike Drawbridge, Fragile Express isn’t government-affiliated—it’s more of a rogue or freelance logistics network.

Key Difference Between the Two Fragile Express - Private Company, Led By Fragile, Restore reputation and deliver independently. Fragile Jump, private couriers, Personal and redemption-driven. Drawbridge - Government (UCA), Managed by UCA/Bridges, Reconnect and rebuild America, Infrastructure, bots, roads, Orderly and cooperative.

Post apocalyptic america.