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Showing posts from April, 2023

Into the Borderland: Running a TTRPG Inspired by Alice in Borderland

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    Alice in Borderland is a popular manga and TV show that follows the adventures of a group of young people who find themselves transported to a mysterious and deadly world. If you're interested in running a tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) inspired by Alice in Borderland, here's a guide to get you started. Choosing a System When running a TTRPG inspired by Alice in Borderland, it's important to choose a system that can handle the fast-paced action and suspenseful atmosphere of the source material. Some suitable TTRPG systems to use include:     Savage Worlds: Savage Worlds is a fast-paced and flexible system that can handle a wide range of genres and settings, including action and suspense.     Cypher System: Cypher System is a rules-light system that focuses on narrative and player agency, making it a good choice for a game inspired by Alice in Borderland.     FATE: FATE is a narrative-driven system that emphasizes player agenc...

Bleak West: Designing and Running a TTRPG Scenario Inspired by the Films of Sergio Corbucci

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    Sergio Corbucci is a legendary Italian filmmaker known for his contributions to the Spaghetti Western genre. His films are filled with action, drama, and unforgettable characters, making them an ideal source of inspiration for a tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) scenario. In this blog post, we'll explore some tips and tricks for designing and running a TTRPG scenario inspired by the films of Sergio Corbucci. Setting The setting of a Sergio Corbucci inspired scenario should be a lawless frontier town in the American West during the late 19th century. The town should be filled with interesting characters, including outlaw gangs, corrupt town officials and lawmen. The players should feel like they are part of a world of danger and intrigue, where every action and decision has consequences. Characters The characters in a Sergio Corbucci inspired scenario should be a mix of cowboys, bandits, and lawmen, each with their own unique backstory and motivations. It's important to wor...

Riding the Rails: Designing and Running a Great Railway-Based Scenario in a TTRPG

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  Railway-based scenarios are a popular choice in tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) because they allow players to explore the vast and varied worlds of railways, from the trains themselves to the towns and cities they pass through. In a railway-based game, players can encounter a wide range of challenges, from bandits and train robbers to mysterious passengers and supernatural threats.   What are the advantages of railway-based scenarios? Railway-based scenarios have several advantages in tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs):     Rich Setting: Railway-based scenarios take place in a rich and varied setting, with the train itself, the surrounding scenery, and the towns and cities the train passes through all providing opportunities for exploration and discovery.     Diverse Characters: Railway-based scenarios often involve a diverse cast of characters, including passengers, railway workers, and law enforcement officials. This provides opportunitie...

Started from the Bottom: Running a Tabletop Roleplaying Game Inspired by the Lyrics of Drake Songs

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  Drake is a rapper and singer known for his introspective and emotional lyrics that explore themes of success, struggle, and perseverance. If you're a fan of Drake's music and want to bring that same sense of introspection, inspiration, and creativity to your tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG), this article is for you. In this post, we'll explore some tips and tricks for running a TTRPG inspired by the lyrics of Drake.     Use Lyrics as Inspiration: Drake's music is filled with introspective and emotive lyrics that can inspire your game. Use the lyrics as a starting point for creating your game's setting, characters, and plot.     Emphasize Perseverance: Drake's music is known for its messages of perseverance and determination. Use this same approach in your game by encouraging players to explore their characters' strengths and abilities.     Use Music as a Tool: Music is a key part of Drake's music and performances. Use music as a tool ...

The King of the Tabletop: How to Run a TTRPG in the Style of Tekken

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   Tekken is a popular fighting video game franchise that has been around since 1994. The games are known for their fast-paced combat, diverse cast of characters, and engaging storyline. If you're a fan of Tekken and want to bring that same sense of action and excitement to a tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) setting, this article is for you. In this post, we'll explore some tips and tricks for running a TTRPG in the style of Tekken.     Use a Martial Arts Setting: Tekken games are known for their martial arts setting, with characters from around the world competing in a global martial arts tournament. Use this same approach in your TTRPG by creating a setting in which martial arts are central to the game world.     Emphasize Combat: Tekken games are known for their fast-paced combat system, with players using a variety of martial arts techniques to defeat their opponents. Use this same approach in your TTRPG by emphasizing combat and providing pl...

Assassinating in Style: How to Run a Tabletop Roleplaying Game in the Style of Assassin's Creed

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    Assassin's Creed is a popular video game series that has been around since 2007. The games are known for their action-packed gameplay, intricate storylines, and historical settings. If you're a fan of Assassin's Creed and want to bring that same sense of adventure and intrigue to a tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) setting, this article is for you. In this post, we'll explore some tips and tricks for running a TTRPG in the style of Assassin's Creed.     Use a Historical Setting: Assassin's Creed games are known for their historical settings, such as ancient Rome and Renaissance Italy. Use this same approach in your TTRPG by creating a historical setting that is rich in detail and provides a sense of authenticity to the game world.     A suitable historical setting for a TTRPG in the style of Assassin's Creed would be the Renaissance period in Italy. The Renaissance was a time of great artistic and cultural achievement, but it was also a time o...

Ready for Action: How to Run a Tabletop Roleplaying Game in the Style of Call of Duty

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  Call of Duty is a popular first-person shooter video game series that has been around since 2003. The games are known for their fast-paced action, intense combat, and thrilling storylines. If you're a fan of Call of Duty and want to bring that same level of excitement and intensity to a tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) setting, this article is for you. In this post, we'll explore some tips and tricks for running a TTRPG in the style of Call of Duty.     Create a High-Stakes Mission: Call of Duty games are known for their high-stakes missions that require players to complete a specific objective under intense pressure. Use this same approach in your TTRPG by creating a mission that is critical to the success of a larger operation, and has significant consequences if it fails.     Use Tactical Combat Mechanics: Call of Duty games rely on tactical combat mechanics that require players to use cover, strategy, and teamwork to survive. Use this same appro...

The City by Night: How to design and run a good urban fantasy scenario in a TTRPG.

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  Urban fantasy scenarios are a popular choice in tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) because they allow players to explore a familiar setting with a fantastical twist. In an urban fantasy game, players can encounter supernatural creatures , magic, and otherworldly threats while navigating the modern cityscape. Here are some tips on how to design and run a good urban fantasy scenario in a TTRPG, along with a sample adventure outline and pre-generated player characters. Establish the Setting: Before designing an urban fantasy scenario, it's important to establish the setting. This includes the city or town where the game takes place, as well as any supernatural elements that exist in the world. Consider how the supernatural elements interact with the modern world and how they are perceived by the general population. Create a Compelling Threat: The threat in an urban fantasy scenario can be anything from a powerful demon to a rogue wizard to a secret government agency...

Payback Time: Creating a TTRPG Adventure Inspired by Rihanna's 'Bitch Better Have My Money'

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Rihanna's song "Bitch Better Have My Money" is a powerful anthem that describes a person who is seeking revenge against someone who has wronged them. The song's music video is an intense and violent depiction of this revenge fantasy, showing Rihanna and her crew kidnapping and torturing a wealthy woman who owes them money. This could inspire a tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) adventure where the players must navigate a world of crime and revenge, trying to get what is owed to them while avoiding the consequences of their actions. In this post, we'll explore some tips and tricks for creating a TTRPG adventure inspired by Rihanna's "Bitch Better Have My Money" and its music video. Tips     Use the Music Video as Inspiration: The music video for "Bitch Better Have My Money" is a visual masterpiece that can inspire your game. Use the imagery and themes of the video as a starting point for creating your game's setting, characters, and plot....

Flight of the Skycrest: an airborne D&D adventure

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   Adventure outline  As the adventurers make their way to the bustling port city of Skyhaven, they notice a grand airship docked at the main port. They soon learn that the airship, known as the Skycrest, is a luxurious vessel that sails through the skies, allowing its passengers to see the world from high above. However, as they approach the Skycrest, they hear whispers of a sinister plot afoot. It seems that the airship's captain, a notorious pirate named Blackbeak, has been hired to transport a valuable cargo across the skies. And the cargo is rumored to be a powerful magical artifact that could tip the balance of power in the region. The adventurers are approached by a wealthy merchant who has heard of their reputation as skilled adventurers. He offers to pay them handsomely to board the Skycrest and prevent Blackbeak from stealing the artifact. The adventurers accept the mission and board the airship as passengers, disguised as wealthy travelers. As they make their w...

Dealing with Player Absence in Tabletop RPGs: How to Keep the Game Running Smoothly

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  Tabletop RPGs are a fantastic way to enjoy an immersive storytelling experience with your friends. However, one of the most common challenges faced by tabletop RPG players is dealing with player absence. Whether it’s due to a scheduled vacation or an unexpected emergency, player absence can disrupt the game and affect everyone’s experience. In this blog post, we’ll explore some strategies for handling player absence in tabletop RPGs. Types of Player Absence There are three main types of player absence: scheduled, unscheduled, and chronic. Scheduled absences are planned in advance, such as a vacation or work trip. Unscheduled absences are unexpected and can include illness, family emergencies, or other unforeseeable events. Chronic absences are when a player regularly misses sessions due to flakiness or other issues. The Impact of Player Absence on the Game Player absence can have a significant impact on the game. It can disrupt the narrative, affect the balance of...

Introduction to Chaosium's Basic Roleplaying

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   It's sitting at the top of the DrivethruRPG.com popularity charts right now, but what exactly is it?  Here's an intro to Basic Roelplaying (BRP), the system behind Call of Cthulhu and other popular Chaosium-published games.  The basics Basic Roleplaying (BRP) is a tabletop role-playing game system published by Chaosium, first introduced in 1980. It is a universal system designed to be used with any setting or genre, from science fiction to fantasy to horror. Here's a comprehensive guide to the BRP system:     Character Creation:     BRP characters are created by distributing points among various attributes, such as Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence, and skills, such as Fighting, Sneaking, and Persuasion. Players may also select from various occupation templates to speed up the process of character creation.     Task Resolution:     To determine the outcome of an action, the player rolls percentile di...

Unapologetic Adventure: Running a Tabletop Roleplaying Game Inspired by the Lyrics of Rihanna Songs

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   Rihanna is a singer-songwriter known for her bold and confident lyrics that explore themes of love, empowerment, and self-discovery. If you're a fan of Rihanna's music and want to bring that same sense of confidence, energy, and creativity to your tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG), this article is for you. In this post, we'll explore some tips and tricks for running a TTRPG inspired by the lyrics of Rihanna.     Use Lyrics as Inspiration: Rihanna's music is filled with colorful and empowering lyrics that can inspire your game. Use the lyrics as a starting point for creating your game's setting, characters, and plot.     Emphasize Empowerment: Rihanna's music is known for its messages of empowerment and self-confidence. Use this same approach in your game by encouraging players to explore their characters' strengths and abilities.     Use Music as a Tool: Music is a key part of Rihanna's music and performances. Use music as a tool...