First of all I would like to thank Cyprien – Le Scénarurgien for sending us a copy of RPG StoryMaker in order to write this review. It is a deck of 81 cards in English (divided into 6 categories) aimed at giving immediate ideas and suggestions to the master to create new exciting adventures. This tool is systemless, so it can come in handy with any RPG!
If you are interested in purchasing it, it is available on Kickstarter at the price of €30 in physical version or €10 in digital version.
How to Create Your Own Scenario in a Few Minutes
As anticipated, the cards are divided into 6 categories: Hook, Subject, Action, Allies, Threats and Bonus. In order to create the scenario you need to extract a card (or more, at the narrator’s discretion) for each of them.
- The Hook is the beginning of the scenario, capable of arousing the players’ curiosity. Example: A strange glow in the sky attracts the characters’ attention.
- The Subject is the focal point around which the plot develops. Example: A powerful magical artifact coveted by many.
- The Action is what the characters will have to do in the scenario. Example: Adventurers must invoke an entity through a ritual in order to get what they want.
- The Allies are the NPCs that players will meet and can ask for help. Example: a renegade from his family cares about the characters’ cause.
- The Threats, on the other hand, are the dangers and enemies that the PCs will have to face. Example: the protagonists encounter parasitic entities along their path.
- Finally, Bonus are extra ideas to make the adventure even more exciting. Example: A strange nightmare envelops the party in doubt and anguish.
Each category has 13 cards and each contains concise but clear information, allowing the master to create an infinite number of always original sessions. Putting the pieces together and making the adventure meaningful and enjoyable is still in his hands!
RPG StoryMaker Physical Material Review
The RPG StoryMaker deck is in European tarot format (60x133mm) and contains 81 high quality, resistant and pleasant to the touch cards; they are printed in France on paper certified by the Pan European Forest Certification Council, also proving to be sustainable since the paper used comes from responsible resources.
The aesthetic appearance is very simple but at the same time elegant and refined; the paper box that contains the cards is practical and explains the use of the deck in a concise way, without the need for internal sheets. Each card has its own category at the top (specified by colored writing) and a magnificent minimalist illustration linked to the given idea. The contrast between the black of the cards and the bright colors of the drawings make the deck very pretty and the simple white font allows for easy reading of the ideas.
The only flaw I found is that the back is the same for all cards (and contains the product logo); I would have preferred to also find the category to facilitate even easier consultation for the narrator.
Final Considerations
RPG StoryMaker is a useful product for masters of any type of role-playing game. The material is excellent and I find the ideas very useful for creating sessions that are always new and never predictable. However, keep in mind that each card still contains a few generic words to outline a narrative element; without a narrator with adequate imagination, they remain so. Interpreting and contextualizing them is essential!
In any case, RPG StoryMaker is a tool that I would recommend to every storyteller, as it is able to give quick suggestions for their one-shots and campaigns; personally from now on I will keep it handy to generate more unpredictability and curiosity at the gaming table!
belle présentation!??
nous connaissons le jeu en français??
belle présentation!??
nous connaissons le jeu en français??