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games:whispering_road [2015/04/21 23:51] – [The Whispering Road] Added Jim White quote brentgames:whispering_road [2023/05/21 09:57] (current) – Fix broken HTML embeds brent
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 **[[http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/793436|Buy it now on MagCloud]]**. USD $9.99 for paperback and PDF; $4.99 for just the PDF. **[[http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/793436|Buy it now on MagCloud]]**. USD $9.99 for paperback and PDF; $4.99 for just the PDF.
  
-<html> +[[http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/793436?__r=492665|{{https://s3.amazonaws.com/storage4.magcloud.com/image/4caa514e166ac84886782cbe0a744221.jpg}}]]
-<div style="background-color:#F6F6F6;border:7px solid #F6F6F6;-moz-border-radius:4px;-webkit-border-radius:4px;width:150px;float:right;">    <a href="http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/793436?__r=492665" class="test_navToIssue">      <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/storage4.magcloud.com/image/4caa514e166ac84886782cbe0a744221.jpg" style="width:150px;border:0;vertical-align:bottom;" alt="The Whispering Road" />      <img src="http://www.magcloud.com/resource/Image/small_widget_foot" style="width:150px;margin:0;border:0;vertical-align:top;" alt="Find out more on MagCloud)" />    </a>  </div> +
-</html>+
  
 **[[http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/137996/The-Whispering-Road|Download now from DriveThruRPG]]** for USD $4.99 **[[http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/137996/The-Whispering-Road|Download now from DriveThruRPG]]** for USD $4.99
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 This was the first playtest of the game, using an early version of the rules in which each hero had 7 traits instead of 5. This was the first playtest of the game, using an early version of the rules in which each hero had 7 traits instead of 5.
  
-|{{http://www.youtube.com/v/X73ZWo0Txw0?.swf?400x333}}|{{http://www.youtube.com/v/myiaUbgx95w?.swf?400x333}}+|{{youtube>small:X73ZWo0Txw0}}|{{youtube>small:myiaUbgx95w}}|{{youtube>small:YDvypI0lHAs}}|
-|{{http://www.youtube.com/v/YDvypI0lHAs?.swf?400x333}}|+
  
 ==== Second Playtest ==== ==== Second Playtest ====
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 This is a single, two-hour session where we tested the 3-act rules. This is a single, two-hour session where we tested the 3-act rules.
  
-{{http://www.youtube.com/v/MC9DN9wLLe8?.swf?400x333}}+{{youtube>large:MC9DN9wLLe8}}
  
 ==== First Game ==== ==== First Game ====
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 This is another single, two-hour session where we used the 3-act rules, using the rules as they were released to my patrons on [[http://www.patreon.com/BrentNewhall|Patreon]]. This is another single, two-hour session where we used the 3-act rules, using the rules as they were released to my patrons on [[http://www.patreon.com/BrentNewhall|Patreon]].
  
-{{http://www.youtube.com/v/RRtxqyhk-NA?.swf?400x333}}+{{youtube>large:RRtxqyhk-NA}}
  
 ===== Play Sample ===== ===== Play Sample =====
-<html> 
-<p><span style="font-weight: bold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> Okay, we've decided to play in a steampunk world with a clean topside and a dirty lower side. My character is named Lora; she's a Special One. She has a small pendant; I'm not sure what it does yet. Her need is "I want to prove that I can protect myself...but my mentor Kendra doesn't think I'm ready." She has four Traits; I chose Adventure Magnet, Burst of Courage, Calm in the Storm, and Everyone Likes Me. I'm also the Driver.</p> 
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> And I'playing Kendra. Her archetype is Mentor, and her Need is "I want to keep Lora safe...but she keeps running off into danger." I get five Traits, and I chose Angry OutburstBag of Wonders, Calm in the Storm, Fiercely Protective, and ShapeshifterAnd I'm the Navigator.</p>+**Lauren:** Okay, we've decided to play in a steampunk world with a clean topside and a dirty lower side. My character is named Lora; she's a Special One. She has a small pendant; I'not sure what it does yet. Her need is "I want to prove that I can protect myself...but my mentor Kendra doesn't think I'm ready." She has four TraitsI chose Adventure MagnetBurst of Courage, Calm in the Storm, and Everyone Likes Me. I'also the Driver.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> I'm playing Jack, Lora's best friendHe's an Ordinary Hero; his Need is "I want to show Lora how much I care for her...but Kendra keeps getting in the way." I also get five Traits, and I chose Amazing DurabilityGadgeteerInsatiable CuriosityIntensity, and Protector.</p>+**Katie:** And I'm playing KendraHer archetype is Mentor, and her Need is "I want to keep Lora safe...but she keeps running off into danger." I get five Traits, and I chose Angry OutburstBag of WondersCalm in the StormFiercely Protective, and Shapeshifter. And I'm the Navigator.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> Cool! Nowwhen we were talking earlierwe agreed that we wanted to include some kind of giant glowing portalHow are we going to do that?</p>+**John:** I'm playing Jack, Lora's best friend. He's an Ordinary Herohis Need is "I want to show Lora how much I care for her...but Kendra keeps getting in the way." I also get five Traitsand I chose Amazing DurabilityGadgeteer, Insatiable Curiosity, Intensity, and Protector.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> What if my character's guarding it? I'm a teacher anywayIt could be a Harry Potter in Hogwarts sort of situation: the teachers are keeping something dangerous in storage.</p>+**Lauren:** Cool! Now, when we were talking earlier, we agreed that we wanted to include some kind of giant glowing portalHow are we going to do that?
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> Perfect! So, the rules say that we now describe our heroes waking up and going about a normal day. Lora's a noble's daughter, so she wakes up in her huge bed, gets dressed, and goes to class.</p>+**Katie:** What if my character'guarding it? I'teacher anyway. It could be a Harry Potter in Hogwarts sort of situation: the teachers are keeping something dangerous in storage.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> I do the same, though I'm not quite as high-born as Lora. My room'smaller, and my clothes are little more beat upprobably because of my Insatiable Curiosity. I meet up with Lora in the hall.</p>+**Lauren:** Perfect! So, the rules say that we now describe our heroes waking up and going about a normal day. Lora's a noble's daughterso she wakes up in her huge bed, gets dressed, and goes to class.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> Kendra will be teaching your first classwhich is basically home room. Oooh! And maybe she mentions this portal.</p>+**John:** I do the samethough I'm not quite as high-born as Lora. My room's smaller, and my clothes are a little more beat up, probably because of my Insatiable CuriosityI meet up with Lora in the hall.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> PerfectI get all excited and ask lots of questions.</p>+**Katie:** Kendra will be teaching your first class, which is basically home room. OoohAnd maybe she mentions this portal.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> Which Kendra deflects.</p>+**Lauren:** Perfect! I get all excited and ask lots of questions.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> Which gets Lora excitedShould we frame this as a conflict?</p>+**Katie:** Which Kendra deflects.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> The rules don't mention conflicts in the prologue, though we certainly could.</p>+**Lauren:** Which gets Lora excited. Should we frame this as a conflict?
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> Let's skip thatthen. I'll just sneak into the portal room with Jack later.</p>+**John:** The rules don't mention conflicts in the prologuethough we certainly could.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John (as Jack):</span> You said there'portal in this room? Neat-o!</p>+**Lauren:** Let'skip that, then. I'll just sneak into the portal room with Jack later.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> So let'say we both find this room, and it's a big stone room with a giant spinning disc in the center. I go up to it, curious, and it sucks me in.</p>+**John (as Jack):** You said there'a portal in this room? Neat-o!
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> Uh-oh! I'll go after her.</p>+**Lauren:** So let's say we both find this room, and it's a big stone room with a giant spinning disc in the center. I go up to it, curious, and it sucks me in.
  
-<p><span style="font-weight: bold;color:red">Katie:</span> show up just as you're being sucked in, and I tsk, and go after you.</p>+**John:** Uh-oh! I'll go after her.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> Okay, so we're in the new worldDid we ever decide on what the new world should look like?</p>+**Katie:** I show up just as you're being sucked in, and I tsk, and go after you.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> Not reallyAny ideas?</p>+**Lauren:** Okay, so we're in the new worldDid we ever decide on what the new world should look like?
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> What if it's a really nature-filled place, all forests and no technologyA real contrast to our steampunk world.</p>+**Katie:** Not really. Any ideas?
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> Cool! So I fall through bunch of trees into a clearingOuch!</p>+**John:** What if it'really nature-filled place, all forests and no technology? A real contrast to our steampunk world.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> And I fall right on top of you.</p>+**Lauren:** Cool! So I fall through a bunch of trees into a clearingOuch!
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> Ow!</p>+**John:** And I fall right on top of you.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> I float down next to both of you, completely composed.</p>+**Lauren:** Ow!
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> You <em>float</em>?</p>+**Katie:** I float down next to both of you, completely composed.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> I have a Bag of Wonders, after all.</p>+**Lauren:** You *float*?
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> Oh, right. So, we're in the new worldso it's Act 1What are we supposed to do?</p>+**Katie:** I have a Bag of Wondersafter all.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> Wellthe rules say we're going to get into some conflicts. Each conflict should try to answer at least one of these questions: How is the new world different from the normal world? • How does the new world operate? What are its rules?</p>+**Lauren:** Oh, right. So, we're in the new world, so it's Act 1. What are we supposed to do?
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> I'm confused. How do we do that?</p>+**Katie:** Well, the rules say we're going to get into some conflictsEach conflict should try to answer at least one of these questions: How is the new world different from the normal world? How does the new world operate? What are its rules?
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> think we have to come up with situations that show off the strangeness of the new world and how it works.</p>+**John:** I'm confused. How do we do that?
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> So maybe we're attacked by something?</p>+**Katie:** I think we have to come up with situations that show off the strangeness of the new world and how it works.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> Oooh! Since this is a natural world, some jungle creature, like a tiger.</p>+**Lauren:** So maybe we're attacked by something?
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> Let's make it an intelligent tiger, like Shere Kahn from The Jungle Book. Maybe all the animals are intelligent in this world.</p>+**John:** Oooh! Since this is a natural world, some jungle creature, like a tiger.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> Cool! So an intelligent tiger prowls out of the underbrush towards usLet me check the rules for conflicts. Okay, the rules say that every conflict has to involve at least one hero's Need.</p>+**Lauren:** Let's make it an intelligent tiger, like Shere Kahn from The Jungle BookMaybe all the animals are intelligent in this world.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> What does that mean?</p>+**Katie:** Cool! So an intelligent tiger prowls out of the underbrush towards us. Let me check the rules for conflicts. Okay, the rules say that every conflict has to involve at least one hero's Need.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> I think it means that the conflict has to be related to one of the Needs we came up with earlier.</p>+**John:** What does that mean?
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> Okay. Well, my Need is to prove that I can protect myself. That would certainly apply here.</p>+**Katie:** I think it means that the conflict has to be related to one of the Needs we came up with earlier.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> My Need is protect Lora, so that fits.</p>+**Lauren:** Okay. Well, my Need is to prove that I can protect myself. That would certainly apply here.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> And my Need is to show Lora how much I care about herSo maybe I leap out in front of the tiger!</p>+**Katie:** My Need is protect Lora, so that fits.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> Okay. Now we need to tap our trait cards. You can tap as many as you want. I'the Navigator, so I get to decide what kind of conflict it is, physical, relational, or intellectual. I think we're reacting physically, so I'll call it a physical conflict.</p>+**John:** And my Need is to show Lora how much I care about herSo maybe leap out in front of the tiger!
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> Okay. I'going to tap my Burst of Courage.</p>+**Katie:** Okay. Now we need to tap our trait cards. You can tap as many as you want. I'the Navigator, so I get to decide what kind of conflict it is, physical, relational, or intellectual. I think we're reacting physically, so I'll call it a physical conflict.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> I'm going to tap...I guess my Protector to protect Lora, and my Amazing Durability to survive leaping in front of a tiger!</p>+**Lauren:** Okay. I'm going to tap my Burst of Courage.
  
-<p><span style="font-weight: bold;color:red">Katie:</span> And I'll use Fiercely ProtectiveJohnthat Amazing Durability trait is a physical one, so you get to roll an 8-sided die for that. All the other traits are six-sided.</p>+**John:** I'm going to tap...I guess my Protector to protect Loraand my Amazing Durability to survive leaping in front of a tiger!
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> Cool!</p>+**Katie:** And I'll use Fiercely Protective. John, that Amazing Durability trait is a physical one, so you get to roll an 8-sided die for that. All the other traits are six-sided.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> Now, here's one of the unique things about this game. We have to say whose Need we're trying to satisfy with our Traits. So we can use a trait to satisfy our own Need, or to satisfy somebody else's Need.</p>+**John:** Cool!
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> HmmmIt sounds like we're all trying to satisfy our own Needs.</p>+**Katie:** Now, here's one of the unique things about this gameWe have to say whose Need we're trying to satisfy with our Traits. So we can use a trait to satisfy our own Need, or to satisfy somebody else's Need.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> TrueWell, let's go with that for nowOkay, everyone, roll your dice!</p>+**Lauren:** HmmmIt sounds like we're all trying to satisfy our own Needs.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> I got a 4.</p>+**Katie:** True. Well, let's go with that for nowOkay, everyone, roll your dice!
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> Yes! I got a 3 and a 7!</p>+**Lauren:** I got a 4.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> And I got a 5. Every die that rolls 5 or higher succeeds.</p>+**John:** Yes! I got a 3 and a 7!
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> So the Protector didn't work, but Amazing Durability did? How does that work?</p>+**Katie:** And I got a 5. Every die that rolls 5 or higher succeeds.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> Well, maybe the tiger batted you away and was able to attack Lora, but you managed to avoid being hurt. So you didn'protect Lora, but you're still very durable.</p>+**John:** So the Protector didn'work, but Amazing Durability did? How does that work?
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> OhOkay.</p>+**Katie:** Well, maybe the tiger batted you away and was able to attack Lora, but you managed to avoid being hurtSo you didn't protect Lora, but you're still very durable.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> My Burst of Courage wasn't enoughSo maybe I leapt at the tiger, but my courage failed at the last minute when it whacked Jack away.</p>+**John:** OhOkay.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> Fortunately, I'm Fiercely Protective, so stepped in and got you out of harm's way in the nick of time.</p>+**Lauren:** My Burst of Courage wasn't enough. So maybe leapt at the tiger, but my courage failed at the last minute when it whacked Jack away.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> So did we defeat the tiger?</p>+**Katie:** Fortunately, I'm Fiercely Protective, so I stepped in and got you out of harm's way in the nick of time.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> That's not exactly how it works. We passed through the conflict, but the tiger isn't necessarily out of the story. Maybe we impressed him and he's ready to talk. Before that, though, we have to calculate karma.</p>+**John:** So did we defeat the tiger?
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> Karma?</p>+**Katie:** That's not exactly how it works. We passed through the conflict, but the tiger isn't necessarily out of the story. Maybe we impressed him and he's ready to talk. Before that, though, we have to calculate karma.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> We each have good karma and bad karma. They start at zero. As we finish conflicts, we add what we roll to our totals.</p>+**John:** Karma?
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> How do we know which one goes where?</p>+**Katie:** We each have good karma and bad karma. They start at zero. As we finish conflicts, we add what we roll to our totals.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> If you rolled a die to satisfy your own Need, you add what you roll to your bad karma. If you're satisfying someone else's Need, you add it to your good karma.</p>+**Lauren:** How do we know which one goes where?
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> Huh?</p>+**Katie:** If you rolled a die to satisfy your own Need, you add what you roll to your bad karma. If you're satisfying someone else's Need, you add it to your good karma.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> Think about it this way: if you satisfy your own Need, you're being selfish. If you use up your own Traits to help someone else with their Need, it's a good deed.</p>+**John:** Huh?
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> Oh. HmmmmDangthat'not good.</p>+**Katie:** Think about it this wayif you satisfy your own Need, you're being selfishIf you use up your own Traits to help someone else with their Needit'good deed.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> YeahSince we were all satisfying our own Needsall of those rolls go to our bad karmaI have 5 bad karma, Lora has 4, and Jack has a whopping 10 bad karma!</p>+**John:** OhHmmmm. Dangthat's not good.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> What does that do to our characters?</p>+**Katie:** Yeah. Since we were all satisfying our own Needs, all of those rolls go to our bad karma. I have 5 bad karma, Lora has 4, and Jack has a whopping 10 bad karma!
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> Nothing yet. But at the end of the game, your good karma compared to your bad karma determines whether your hero can go home or has to stay in the new world.</p>+**John:** What does that do to our characters?
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> OuchSo we'd better start satisfying each others' Needs!</p>+**Katie:** Nothing yet. But at the end of the game, your good karma compared to your bad karma determines whether your hero can go home or has to stay in the new world.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> And I'm already down two Traits.</p>+**Lauren:** Ouch. So we'd better start satisfying each others' Needs!
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> Don't worry! Since we've tackled each of our Traits, we can move on to Act 2. By doing that, we can untap up to 2 Traits. So we're all back to normal.</p>+**John:** And I'm already down two Traits.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> Cool!</p>+**Lauren:** Don't worrySince we've tackled each of our Traits, we can move on to Act 2. By doing that, we can untap up to 2 Traits. So we're all back to normal.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> We can get some good karma now, too. If we satisfied our archetype's goal, we get to roll a die and add that to our good karma.</p>+**John:** Cool!
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> Our archetype's goal?</p>+**Lauren:** We can get some good karma now, too. If we satisfied our archetype's goal, we get to roll a die and add that to our good karma.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:blue">Lauren:</span> Yeah, it's listed under your archetype. My hero'a Special One, so my goal is to protect myself, an object, or a piece of information. Hmmm, I didn't really do that.</p>+**John:** Our archetype's goal?
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> Lemme seeI'm an Ordinary Heroand my goal is to protect another.</p>+**Lauren:** Yeah, it's listed under your archetypeMy hero's a Special Oneso my goal is to protect myself, an object, or a piece of information. Hmmm, I didn't really do that.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> You leaped in front of that tiger to protect Lora, so I think that counts.</p>+**John:** Lemme see. I'm an Ordinary Hero, and my goal is to protect another.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> Awesome! So roll a die...and I roll a 3. So I have 5 good karma and 10 bad karma</p>+**Katie:** You leaped in front of that tiger to protect Lora, so think that counts.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> As Mentor, my goal is to ensure that another hero matures and makes the right choicesHaven't really done that yet.</p>+**John:** Awesome! So I roll die...and I roll a 3. So I have 5 good karma and 10 bad karma
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:green">John:</span> Okaywhat's next?</p>+**Katie:** As a Mentormy goal is to ensure that another hero matures and makes the right choices. Haven't really done that yet.
  
-<p><span style="font-weightbold;color:red">Katie:</span> I think it's time we talk to that tiger....</p> +**John:** Okay, what's next? 
-</html>+ 
 +**Katie:** I think it's time we talk to that tiger....
  
 ===== Support ===== ===== Support =====
  
-If you have questions about //The Whispering Road//, please post them to [[https://plus.google.com/communities/104787672504300358431|the Google+ Community]].+If you have questions about //The Whispering Road//, please [[mailto:brent@brentnewhall.com|email me]].
  
 ===== Thanks ===== ===== Thanks =====
games/whispering_road.1429685471.txt.gz · Last modified: 2015/04/21 23:51 by brent