Bootlegs - A Trial of Haste and Defiance

The streets pulse with the rhythm of jazz and gunfire as you sprint across rain-slick rooftops, a stash of True Synthetics strapped to your chest. The government’s concoction was meant to wipe out the bootleggers, but it turned people into glassy-eyed monsters, the High-Spirited.

Now the speakeasies are more than just hiding spots; they’re strongholds against the madness outside. The bigwigs who caused this mess are safe in their towers, and they want you silenced because you carry the truth, and the cure.

You weren’t supposed to survive this long. They built the system to control you through fear, but they underestimated the rhythm of the underground. The bootleggers have adapted. The sick might be stronger, but you’re faster. The High-Spirited may have lost their minds, but the resistance has found its heart. Lace up your boots, Runner. The city’s calling, and tonight you’ve got a score to settle.

A roleplaying game for two to five players, including a player as the Game Master. A single two to three hour session to complete.

Source Material: Bootlegs is my spin on the game Bottle Spirits by Nick Butler. Not too far from the original, but hopefully clearer and smoother to play. I’ve completely rewritten and refined the rules, aiming to sharpen its unique mechanics while keeping the gritty feel that made the original shine.