This new, updated edition of BUTT&HEAD was made in partnership with Plus One EXP and released as a part of the RPG Zine Club! Learn more here~

TOGETHER, YOU ARE CENTAUR!

BUTT&HEAD is a TTRPG with three roles about adventuring as two halves of a centaur - all you need is a standard deck of 52 playing cards!

While players control different functions of their half-horse/half-person body, they’ll be venturing together as a whole majestic centaur. Players are recommended to speak “out of character” to each other about their actions and treat it as an internal monologue of the character they control.

Communication and compromise between the halves is beautiful and encouraged to help surmount any perils that may lie ahead!

In BUTT&HEAD, players take on one of three roles:

THE BUTT

aka the CLIP-CLOPS

This player is the legs, belly, and bulk of the centaur. They control movement, strength, and gusto of the shared being’s horse half. They may not be able to verbally speak with non-player characters in the world, but they can use body language to make a point and, importantly, they are perfectly able to communicate with the Chatter-Box out of character.

THE HEAD

aka the CHATTER-BOX

This player is the arms, torso, mouth and charm of the centaur. They embody guile, cleverness, and social interaction as the human half of the shared being. While they may not be the main source of brawn for the centaur, it’s well within their focus to be a master of speech and jazz hands. The Chatter-Box will be performing most of the communication, but they should consider discussing the direction to take things with the Clip-Clops first.

THE MAESTRO

the benevolent GAME MASTER

This role is responsible for narrating and controlling the world. While they will, at times, have to embody things opposed to the other players, they are never themselves antagonistic to them. It’s important for The Maestro to tell the story honestly and in a way that fits the tone of your game, to do what’s most interesting, and to help provide interesting opportunities to explore!

But wait, there's more!

In this updated edition, you'll find not only the original hack of GUN&SLINGER, but delightful cover art by Sinta Posadas, and brand new adventures from 3 fantastic creators!

91st Regiment of Hoof by Kevin Nguyen

Someone back home died. Brass redacted out all the nouns though so you can’t tell who; they ticked Operational Security and Morale boxes on the reasons stamp. Learned on your last tour not to worry about that kinda thing so much, not out here on the front.

Worrying’s the luxury of the rear and gear.

Camp Marigold by Charu Patel

Chill frosty air envelops you as you push aside the overgrown jasmine on these ruins. You and your campmates found this place weeks ago, much to the camp leaders' chagrin.

They refuse to investigate the strange items you've found; identical copies of random paraphernalia around camp: Saira's tail ribbon, Aliya's blue metal whistle, Archan's viewing glasses, and a cabin banner, all of which mysteriously disappear by the next morning.

The Apprentice by Liam McCrickard

Atop a mountain covered in snowy woods, SHE awaits you. HER legs are old and gnarled. HER hooves dig into the ground as deep as the roots of the oldest pine. HER back is hunched, with a spine jutting out like the ridges of the tallest peaks. SHE is the keeper of your kind’s oldest magics, and should you prove yourself, a teacher who can impart wisdom no other speaking soul remembers.

SHE says you will be given four trials, then SHE will know.

To play this game, you'll need:

• 2-3 players
• 1 standard deck of playing cards or an online alternative (I recommend playingcards.io)
• Writing implements, paper, or some other method of taking notes and tracking information

This work is based on GUN&SLINGER by Nevyn Holmes and is licensed for use under the CC 4.0 International License - GUN&SLINGER™ is a trademark of Nevyn Holmes. The MARKED&MADE logo is ©Nevyn Holmes and is used with permission.

Created as an entry for the MARKED&MADE Jam by Nevyn Holmes @ForkTwenty