Skin Deep

A Pervasive Journaling RPG for One

By Tess Tanenbaum

"Something is changing, under the surface, hidden from prying eyes, deep beneath your skin.  It's early in the process, so you don't have to explain your condition yet to the people in your life. You know that eventually you will have to. Even if you can't see it yet, you can feel it."

About the game:

Skin Deep is a pervasive journalling game for one player. It is meant to be played over the course of a week, although it may be played more slowly if you desire. It is divided into seven days, each with its own set of instructions for you to follow. Keep the zine somewhere that you will notice it when you awaken each day, turn to the next un-played page, and follow the directions before you begin your day. Journal, meditate, and inscribe your transformation directly onto your skin.

Skin Deep invites you to substitute its reality for your own. It includes themes of body horror, physical transformation, and alienation. There are paths through Skin Deep that are affirming, joyful, and wholesome, but there are also possibilities for monstrosity, unease, dissociation, dysphoria, body dysmorphia, psychosis, and horror. Choose your journey through the experience, or turn your fate over to the dice and let the game challenge you to become something unexpected.

Contents:

This version of the game includes a 20-page digital version with full artwork, and a simpler print-and-play" version suitable for home printers.

About the creator:

Tess Tanenbaum is a queer, neurodivergent, transgender woman, and a witch. She makes games, books, music, poetry, and art that explores queer and trans joy, identity transformation, magick, and the wyrd and mysterious. 

Credits:

• Design, Concept, Layout, Illustrations, & Photography: Theresa Jean Tanenbaum
• Editing: Karen Tanenbaum
• Heading font: Chlakh (demo) by Seveniwe
• Body font: Amasis MT Pro
• a Moth Mother Studios production
• Bluesky: @mothmother.com | https://tesstanen.itch.io/skin-deep
• Copyright © Theresa Jean Tanenbaum, 2025

A note about the illustrations: All drawings in Skin Deep were created using homemade black walnut ink that the designer created with walnuts foraged from her land. To learn more about the ink, or to buy your own, please visit: https://cauldronfirestudios.com/