For the past couple (four already?!) of years I have been toying around with an Old West Alternate History type game where the players are folklore legends from around the world doing the bidding of the enigmatic Baroness. Nary a timetable, just dabbling in a new world.
It was originally based on the Wound by Tension system but has since blossomed into something else. Read more on that here. In fact, everything has grown in unexpected but delightful ways.
It’s probably too early to even talk about it. There are 3 characters out of 12 that need to be nailed down; Fortune Teller, Huckster, and Outlaw (although the Outlaw is close). The rule set has evolved into a well-oiled machine. I still have on my docket an additional 9 adventures to playtest. With the way I run games likely three sessions each for a grand total of 27 sessions. And that’s if I only run them once (I like to run them at least twice with different groups…)
The timetable for writing AND playing nine adventures is a bit intimidating. Luckily it is also my favorite thing to do. Weaving distinct tales that share touchstones, creating unexpected dilemmas, and running players through the meat grinder to see what worked and what didn’t!
Character Evolution
I managed to take a step forward this year in character design space. I already had a solid baseline through each one. Which is a good thing, but they all kinda blended together. The original process for players was choosing a profession, general folklore, and haunted past. (Probably something I will have for a later release.)
Now, there are only twelve possible choices for your character with very little to tweak. They are fully grounded in a myth have drastically different ways to interact with different mechanics.
- The Balladeer – starts with access to 8 different songs. Each curse makes them stronger and removes one.
- The Bounty Hunter – gains fairy superstitions weaknesses and magick as they slowly go mad.
- The Gambler – a hunger ghost able to manipulate and absorb Doom but must purge it back onto surrounding players.
- The Preacher – must balance becoming a berserk werewolf and being able to use holy Vespers to protect others.
Is There A Timetable?
My tentative goal is one year from now.
I begin my next set of playtesting on August 26th on the Raspy Raven Discord channel. I have also put feelers out for getting the recording players back together now that I have a plan. I also have recently joined the Open Hearth community and am working up the courage to see if anyone would be interested in playing with me!
So until then I will provide updates here and on Bluesky Meanwhile, enjoy David Venegas’s art!