Beim Foot locker

Inspired by this post on r/RPG, I wanted to throw out an idea and see how it's received.

I'm currently creating a TTRPG that's set in German(ic) folklore. I'm thinking about calling the GM the GrandMother, as folk tales were (and are!) often told to children by their grandmothers.

I think it's kinda funny and lighthearted, reminding players that this is not a tactical or crunchy game, but something to have a laugh with as well.

Now I'm wondering how far I wanna lean into that. Many TTRPGs have a sentence at the very beginning like "elect one player to be the Game Master. The GM controls blah blah blah..." I currently don't have that kinda sentence. Do I add it in to make the GrandMother thing prominent? Or do I just make the first mention of GM to be "GrandMother (GM)" and then never mention it again.

Or do y'all think it's totally annoying and should be avoided? My thinking is that as long as everyone can still call the GM a "GM", it won't ever get in the way of clear communication.

Hi!

I'm Timo, 27 and I'm new to the city. I love playing board games, card games and TTRPGs! I enjoy classic and modern games, strategy and social games. Just everything.

I'm wondering if there are any groups or clubs I could join. I'm in Charlottenburg myself, but I get around pretty well by bike and S-Bahn.

If you don't know of any groups/clubs, but you yourself enjoy playing board games, let's start a group! There's a nice board game cafe in Moabit :-)

After spending the last 3 hours with my nose in a spreadsheet, trying to balance my combat system and assign values for HP, attack modifiers, damage output, and difficulty scores, I am curious:

What do you use spreadsheets for when designing your game? How do you use those spreadsheets? Or do you have different methods for crunching the numbers?

(Btw, I was successful with my spreadsheet magic and my combat system is officially balanced!)

Hi y'all!

--- EDIT: See my additions below for my current draft! ---

I'm trying to adapt my game, Regular Volk, to be suitable for longer campaigns. My existing character progression system is a little bit of an afterthought, as the game was originally intended for short adventures and oneshots.

Here is a link to a 5-page PDF excerpt of the current resolution mechanic, a few character options, as well as the character progression mechanics as they are right now. As you can tell, the meat is in the character creation, whereas the character progression adds a few things for your character. As I also note on the page, ability score increases are quite experimental, as they quickly break the game's balance.

Now I'm at the point where I don't really have a direction forward. If score increases are not really an option, I see a few ways to continue building the game. Character progression might be horizontal (gain new abilities) rather than vertical (get stronger), it might be purely narrative, or it might be a combination of horizontal and narrative progression.

I briefly entertained the idea of using the Beast Points (not included in the PDF excerpt) as a meta-currency to purchase character upgrades, but I decided against it because I don't want to muddy an existing mechanic, which is currently working well.

I also briefly entertained the idea of introducing story beats or character arcs. Basically, characters would choose two arcs and try to achieve narrative goals during gameplay. Upon achieving such narrative goals, characters gain new abilities. The reason I decided not to pursue this further is that to kinda sucks the life out of the game. In Regular Volk, abilities are written as purely narrative effects, so that players may interpret them creatively in any given context. For example: "Earthshaker (Vigor): Shake up nearby creatures." Tying character progression to pre-determined narratives would remove the "fuck around and find out" character of the game. It would prevent creative fairytale logic and problem solving. The game would go from "Oh shit, how can I use my abilities creatively to affect the world around me?" to "How can I game my existing abilities to achieve pre-determined outcomes?" I just don't really want to take the game in that direction.

But what now? A suitable character progression mechanic should:

• support the open-ended nature of the game
• enable horizontal and/or narrative character progression
• leave existing mechanics mostly undisturbed. A character progression mechanic may somehow integrate into existing mechanics, but it shouldn't change what's there too much.
• keep bureaucracy at the table to a minimum (no complex tracking of currencies, XP, etc.)
• feel natural; be driven by the gameplay/story. Milestone leveling is a last resort.

What I want to ask:

• Where can I look for inspiration? Which games have character progression mechanics, that may inspire or inform mine?
• What ideas do you have?

(If you're curious and want to do a deeper dive into the entire ruleset of Regular Volk, you can download the latest version on itch.io.)

--- CURRENT DRAFT: ---

Character Progression

Like all folk heroes, regular volk are the underdogs of the story. Character progression doesn’t come from experience points or training. Regular volk don’t become battle masters; they change with and adapt to their environments.

Affected by Magic

The world of Regular Volk is full of magical beasts, cursed items, and blessed places. Interacting with them in a significant way may alter your physical abilities temporarily or even permanently.

Earned a Favor

When you show unexpected kindness toward others, especially vulnerable beings, they may surprise you with a favor returned manifold.

Gained a Tool

As you continually find creative solutions to daunting problems, some of those methods may become an integral part of your toolbox.

Learned a Lesson

Sometimes, a shift in perspective is all you need. You may overcome fears and develop new ones, come to understand your enemies, or learn what not to do next time.

Paid a Price

Not all transformations of character, whether physical, psychological, or magical, are without cost. With great rewards come great risks. Not every character progression will make you a better hero, but even paying a price sometimes will lend new complexity to your character.

Take Risks

Nobody has ever transformed themselves from within their comfort zone. Slaying lowly foes in the local forest doesn’t elicit character progression. However, touching the glowing orb, showing mercy, drinking the potion, and solving problems creatively do bring about transformation.

Work with your GM

Cooperate and coordinate with your GM regarding your character’s progression. Some changes to your character, like the effect of a curse or a favor returned by a local townsvolk, stem from the game world and are initiated by the GM. Others, like changes in your perspective or the addition of a new tool, may be initiated by you.

If you sense that your character is going through a significant change, ask your GM how to realise this transformation.

Noting Changes

Changes to your character are noted on your character sheet. In coordination with your GM, you may: add/remove Traits, Deeds, and Dares; add/remove gear and weapons; or change your background information.

Hi! I'm moving to Berlin in August and I'm looking to join or start a TTRPG group. I speak both German and English at a native speaker level, but I'd maybe slightly prefer an English-speaking group.

I have been a DM for DnD in the past, so I could probably run a campaign, but I'm also very interested in being a player for once. I own an English language copy of Daggerheart and wouldn't mind trying that out either.

Additionally, I also enjoy just playing most any board or card game, so that could be part of the group activities as well.

I'm 27 years old, and would prefer people somewhat close in age, perhaps something like 23-33. I'll be living near the Charlottenburg S-Bahn Station and I can get around the city by bike or transit, though I'd probably prefer a group that's not too far away.

If you know of a TTRPG group I could join or if you want to start a brand new one with me, lmk! Alternatively, if you know of a better way to find people who share this hobby, I'd love to know about it too!

Hi!

I am Timo, 27, he/him. Queer-adjacent elementary school teacher who wants to roll some dice.

I am moving to Berlin after spending the last 10 years in the US. I speak both German and English at a native speaker level, so I can play games in either language.

I was a DM for a 5E campaign a few years ago, so I am familiar with that ruleset, but I am very much open to learning another system. I dabble in TTRPG game design, so rules and mechanics and systems bring me joy!

I will be available for game sessions on weeknights, probably after 5 or 6pm local time. I'll be living in Charlottenburg, but could travel to another part of the city pretty easily by bike. I'm looking for a bi-weekly game, ideally, but can be flexible on that.

Hope to hear from you soon!! :-)

Hi!

I am Timo, 27, he/him. Queer-adjacent elementary school teacher who wants to roll some dice.

I am moving to Berlin after spending the last 10 years in the US. I speak both German and English at a native speaker level, so I can play games in either language.

I was a DM for a 5E campaign a few years ago, so I am familiar with that ruleset, but I am very much open to learning another system. I dabble in TTRPG game design, so rules and mechanics and systems bring me joy!

I will be available for game sessions on weeknights, probably after 5 or 6pm local time. I'll be living in Charlottenburg, but could travel to another part of the city pretty easily by bike. I'm looking for a bi-weekly game, ideally, but can be flexible on that.

Hope to hear from you soon!! :-)