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

 

 

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 agency and storytelling, making it a good fit for a game focused on suspense and mystery.

Player Characters

When creating player characters for a game inspired by Alice in Borderland, it's important to consider the unique challenges and dangers of the setting. Here are some examples of suitable player characters:

    Survivor: The Survivor is a character who is tough and resourceful, able to handle the dangers of the Borderland and protect their fellow players.

    Engineer: The Engineer is a character who is skilled in building and repairing equipment, making them valuable in a world where technology and tools can mean the difference between life and death.

    Hacker: The Hacker is a character who is skilled in computer systems and information gathering, making them valuable in a world where knowledge is power.

    Strategist: The Strategist is a character who is skilled in planning and tactics, making them valuable in a world where every decision could mean the difference between survival and death.

Sample Adventure Outline: "The Game of Life"

Setting: The players find themselves transported to a mysterious and deadly world known as the Borderland, where they must compete in a series of deadly games to survive.

Threat: The players are pitted against other teams of survivors in a game of "life," where they must navigate a series of deadly challenges and obstacles to reach the end.

Objective: The players must use their skills and wits to survive the game and reach the end, where they will be rewarded with the chance to return to the real world.

Pre-generated Player Characters:

•     Alex, a skilled survivor with experience in dangerous environments.
•     Maya, an engineer with a knack for improvising tools and equipment.
•     Kai, a hacker with a talent for gathering information and manipulating systems.
•     Sam, a strategist with a talent for planning and executing complex maneuvers.

Act 1: Introduction

The players are introduced to the world of the Borderland and learn the rules of the game of life.

Act 2: The Challenges

The players must navigate a series of deadly challenges, including a maze filled with traps, a room filled with deadly gas, and a dark forest filled with dangerous creatures.

Act 3: The Final Challenge

The players must face their toughest challenge yet, a race to the finish through a deadly obstacle course filled with traps and dangers.

Act 4: The Reward

The players reach the end of the game and are rewarded with the chance to return to the real world, but must make a difficult choice about who will get to leave and who will stay behind.

Conclusion

Running a TTRPG inspired by Alice in Borderland can be a thrilling and suspenseful experience for both players and gamemasters. By choosing a suitable TTRPG system, creating unique and engaging player characters, and crafting a compelling adventure, you can create a game that captures the spirit and excitement of the source material.

What are some other challenges that could be included in the game of life?

In a game inspired by Alice in Borderland, the challenges that the players face should be dangerous, thrilling, and test their skills and abilities in unique and unexpected ways. Here are some additional challenges that could be included in the game of life:

• The Labyrinth: The players must navigate a complex and deadly maze filled with traps, dead ends, and other obstacles.
• The Pit: The players must cross a deep and treacherous pit, either by climbing across a narrow rope or finding another way across.
• The Gauntlet: The players must run through a gauntlet of obstacles, including swinging blades, falling rocks, and other deadly traps.
• The Tower: The players must climb a tall tower, avoiding deadly traps and enemies along the way.
• The Flood: The players must escape a rapidly flooding area, finding higher ground and avoiding deadly currents and obstacles.
• The Illusion: The players must navigate through an area filled with illusions and trickery, using their wits and perception to find the true path.
• The Sacrifice: The players must make a difficult choice between sacrificing one of their own or facing a deadly consequence.

These challenges can be combined in different ways to create unique and exciting scenarios that test the players' skills and wits. As always, it's important to balance the challenges with opportunities for rest and recovery, as well as moments of suspense and mystery that keep the players engaged and invested in the story.

What are some ways to create suspense and mystery in the game?

Creating suspense and mystery is an important part of running a successful TTRPG, especially in a game inspired by Alice in Borderland. Here are some ways to create suspense and mystery in your game:

    Unknown Threats: Introduce unknown threats that the players must uncover and overcome, such as mysterious creatures, hidden dangers, or unknown forces at work.

    Ambiguous Goals: Create goals and objectives that are ambiguous or unclear, leaving room for interpretation and suspicion. Players may question the motives of their allies or the nature of their mission, creating a sense of uncertainty and tension.

    Time Pressure: Introduce time pressure that forces the players to act quickly and decisively, creating a sense of urgency and danger. This could be in the form of a ticking clock or a deadline for completing a task or objective.

    Limited Resources: Limit the resources available to the players, such as ammunition, equipment, or food and water. This creates a sense of scarcity and forces the players to make tough choices about how to use their resources.

    Unreliable Information: Introduce unreliable or conflicting information that the players must sift through and interpret, creating a sense of mystery and doubt. This could be in the form of conflicting reports, rumors, or unreliable sources of information.

    Unexpected Twists: Introduce unexpected twists and turns in the story that challenge the players' expectations and assumptions, creating a sense of surprise and suspense. This could be in the form of a sudden betrayal, a hidden danger, or an unexpected ally.

By incorporating these elements into your game, you can create a sense of suspense and mystery that will keep your players engaged and invested in the story. Remember to pace the story carefully, balancing moments of tension and danger with moments of rest and reflection, to create a compelling and exciting adventure.