Been a lovely week here with less than usual responsibilities. That’s not translated in a tonne of output here. But that’s OK.
Project Run down
Sand & Stars
(Desert survival x Cairn, Ashcan here [link])
Just some musings. A little bit of world building and an idea for player roles.
…
What colour should the sky be?
Had a thought… There’s no ocean on this planet. So the sky wouldn’t be blue… right? Then what colour should it be? Yellow? White? White feels pretty ominous. If that’s the case then the moons should be coloured other than white/grey, too. I think red and yellow moons would be cool.
Players roles
What if players were given prescribed things to do which aren’t just about playing their character, but also doing something usual for the group (both in game and out of it)?
This is inspired by Ryuutama, which asks players to decide who among them will track inventory and make the map. I’ve expanded on that here, by also suggesting that players can have dedicated roles at the table itself. And I’m also playing with making the ‘GM’ more of a player as well.
Here’s what I have so far:
Sand and Stars requires at least four players. Each player needs to perform one of the following roles in a game session.
Guide: The guide player involves roles that are commonly prescribed to “game masters” in other games. The guide is responsible for the world around the players and making logical choices for non-player-characters and the environment. The guide is privy to all the information a given adventure module provides. The guide also presents rules and rulings to the other players.
In-game, the guide also constructs and controls a character that adventures along side the other players’ characters. This guide character is intentionally placed in the background of the group, following instructions given by other characters and acting in a logical manner. If this character is asked a direct question by other characters, the character offers profound advice, a clarification or a warning. This role is designed to serves as a resource for useful tips during an adventure, for when the other players are feeling stuck. A guide character should be interacted with sparingly. When a guide character dies, the guide player introduces a new one as soon as possible.
Timekeeper: A player who chooses the timekeeper role leads the discussion on how long a given game session should last. Once the time has been established, the timekeeper player keeps an eye on the time and lets the group know when they are half way through, when there is half hour remaining and when time has elapsed. The timekeeper player is also responsible for suggesting breaks in play.
In-game, the timekeeper’s character records the passage of time and works with the navigator character to plot how long it will take to travel to certain areas. Timekeeper characters are knowledgeable on when different moons rise and what the expected temperatures are during those moon phases. The timekeeper uses a special player aid to record the time of day which play is occurring.
Navigator: A player who chooses the navigator role assumes extra responsibility for player safety. There are player safety tools available to all, but the navigator player must be willing to spend extra attention at the table and suggest pauses for check-ins when they feel it is appropriate. Any other player can suggest a pause or check-in whenever they wish, also. The navigator is not the arbitrator and what is and is not appropriate at the table. The navigator player should be familiar with the player safety tools in place during a session and any content the group has previously outlined as being problematic and things they don’t wish to have in the game.
In game the navigator character is responsible for the map and, along with the timekeeper, plotting travel along it.
Quartermaster: A player who chooses the quartermaster role assumes extra responsibility for player comfort when playing at a physical table. The quartermaster leads the discussion on what food and beverages should be made available during a game. The quartermaster is the one who calls for a pizza, if the group desires it (they also get first dibs on the slices). Quartermasters may also take the lead on other comforts around the playing table, such as seating, temperature and background music. Quartermasters should also make sure there are enough pens, pencils, paper, etc. for various use during play.
In game the quartermaster character takes the lead on shopping expeditions and also act as treasurer, managing the group’s collective funds. They also manage the inventory of carts and hirelings. Qaurtermaster characters should take extra interest in available water sources and how much water all of the party has on them at a given time.
Steam Thieves
(Steampunk x Forged in the Dark, Ashcan here [link])
…
No progress.
Goodnight Maus
(Mausritter adventure site inspired by Goodnight Moon)
…
No progress.
Trinakum
(Original design - 3d6 dice pool/grid-based/combat simulator with Iron Age Celtic/Gaulish flavour, Ashcan here [link])
…
No progress.
Gatekeepers
(Mythos inspired Breathless game for the Beyond the Gates Jam, Ashcan here [link])
…
No progress.
WAKE
(Completed Breathless game inspired by Control, Inception and The Matrix, Game Page here [link])
…
No progress.
GIANT PINBALL
(Dungeon Crawl Classic Funnel set inside a pinball machine)
…
No progress.
See ya!