Welcome to Honorbound! A system-light rpg with player driven storytelling prompts to create a sweeping, epic tale. The game works best as a mini-campaign but adapts perfectly for one-shots as well. Before starting a new game, players should read through the concept, aim, tone, and setting (CATS) to help understand the unique feel of Honorbound.
Concept
You are heroes for hire, taking on contracts in order to maintain your citizenship of the Grand Alliance. Mechanically, the players attempt to earn enough Unity Points to perform a shared action impossible to complete individually to defeat a threat. This can only be done by integrating their personal struggles into the current adventure.
In practice, the player characters leap into espionage at the behest of the crown, defend the honor of chivalric romance, or explore abandoned ruins in the hopes of finding forbidden technology. They share hidden stories about themselves that take twists and turns at the prompting of the other players. Only by standing united can they peer into the void and scream “All for one!” to overcome an adversary they were destined to meet
Aim
Honorbound creates punchy, meaningful one-shots with a healthy amount of world building and action. Characters introduce personal narratives to complicate scenes with storyline twists earning Unity Points. Once enough Unity Points are earned, they may perform an All For One! check as each player describes how they are contributing to overcoming the threat.
Tone
Honorbound’s tone is bright and adventurous; brimming with daring feats and chivalric romance. It is underscored by revelations of past deeds that will challenge the character’s outlooks. The game leans into themes of redemption, revenge, and forgiveness. Only to build towards overcoming insurmountable odds through cooperation.
The game draws inspiration from the Three Musketeers, Firefly, Arcane, and the writings of Charles Dickens shot into space. Personal narratives interweave with current adventures shaped by the players. There is no triumph for Athos without the tragedy of Milady de Winter.
Setting
Honorbound is set in a far future star system populated by dozens of alien species. It was once a dark galaxy controlled by a few companies, but the wars are over, and it is time to rebuild. Historically, the characters live three generations removed from a chain reaction of pivotal events:
- The Rise and Departure of the AI Prophets who took with them recorded knowledge that they deemed too dangerous for sentient beings to safely monitor. These technologies included interstellar travel, AI enslavement, and time crystal technologies.
- The Company Wars occurred when those devastating technologies were destroyed, ending the imprisonment of billions of lives for profit and leading to the formation of a utopian union called the Grand Alliance. Areas that did not join the alliance are called Freecity States.
- The Discovery of Essence (or rediscovery for some) revealed a pliable and mysterious force called the Essence, Fuse, or sometimes the Weave. Those who learn to tap into it are capable of wondrous feats like seeing the future, limited telepathy, and even communing with the Oracles, mysterious entities left behind by the AI Prophets.
With advanced technologies destroyed, the system is entering a new renaissance age of created arts, social norms, and romance. What was once cynical cyberpunk has become hopeful solarpunk, working with the environment to construct a harmonious society for all. It is meant to mirror 17th century France intrigue blended with the Industrial revolution.
Join Will and Jerod as they navigate the hurdles of building a ttrpg from scratch.
Be dazzled by an Actual Playtest!
We got interviewed by our friends over at A Pint of Cthulhu AND treated them to a playthrough!