Here's an example of play as we reach the FINAL 48 HOURS!
about 1 year ago
– Tue, Aug 22, 2023 at 07:50:16 AM
What an incredible journey it has been! Thank you all for your pledges and for getting the word out about Perils & Princesses! We've surpassed 1500 total backers which is absolutely astonishing to me. I'm thrilled to be able to produce this game at a scale which just seemed like a far off daydream only a month ago.
Inspiration
Lots of folks have commented on social media the games they're already planning. Some with a grim eerie theme, some inspired by specific storybooks, or animated movie worlds, or some their own creations! It's been so cool to see everyone so excited about playing this game.
I'd love to hear more of your unique ideas for Perils & Princesses! What kind of story or fairy tale or adventure are you planning on playing?
Example of Play
One of the final additions to the Perils & Princesses book is going to be an example of play to showcase how the different rules might come together. I always find that these are helpful tools when learning a new system and I wanted to be sure to include a bit of a play example for this game that shows how some of the different rules all work together. There might be some tweaks and refinements as the game gets edited but I wanted to share the full rough version here for those interested!
Two level 2 Princesses are exploring the wilderness. Leaf (they/them) has a gift of Wild Heart and Viola (She/Her) has Healing Touch. They are both making their way through a deep dark forest.
GM: After a harrowing few hours of navigating the dense forest, the twisted branches and leaves have created a dark canopy of shadows. You start to notice wisps of spider webs that grow thicker until your path forward is criss-crossed with gigantic webs. How do you want to continue?
Viola: Great. Spiders. I look around to try and see if there’s any way around them.
GM: After assessing the area, it looks like there’s spiderwebs covering everything in the vicinity. You could Spend Time to try and backtrack to find a way around them. But there’s always a chance of a wrinkle as you forge a new path.
Leaf: I don’t want to spend any longer here than we have to. At least we know what we’re up against with spiders.
Viola: Agreed.You going to lead the way?
Leaf: I got this. I ready an arrow in my bow, and carefully start stepping through, trying to avoid the webs.
GM: Viola are you right behind them?
Viola: I tie my hair back, hold my knife and scan the webs as I follow.
GM: Ok both of you test your GRACE to get through without getting stuck.
Viola: (Rolls a d20) 6! I’m good!
Leaf: (Rolls a d20) Shoot 12! I needed a 10.
Viola: Wait! So you only need 2 less? I want to use my Heart Dice to help them.
GM: Ok, Explain how you help them and roll a d4. You need to roll at least a 2 and then either way, that dice is spent for the day.
Viola: Worth it. I simply reach out and try and grab them right before they step into any webs…(Rolls a d4) OH NO I only got a one. Sorry Leaf.
GM: Leaf, as you’re stepping through a dense section of webs you feel Viola’s hand try to stop you but it’s too late. Your ankle gets wrapped in a web holding you in place. You can see the vibrations in the webs radiate outward and upward followed by the rustling of giant hairy spider legs rushing down from above. Both of you test your WITS to see if you can react before this giant spider is able to get to you.
Viola: (Rolls a d20) Ok I need a 12 or less. Dang 16. I fail.
Leaf: (Rolls a d20) My wits aren’t great, only 8, but I got a 4!
GM: That means Leaf, you get to act first. Your ankle is caught in the web as you see the spider approach from above.
Leaf: I point my bow toward the spider and loose an arrow. (Rolls a d20) That’s a 10. MyGRACE is 10 so I barely got it! (Rolls a d6 for damage) 4 for damage.
GM: Nice! You fire your arrow up into the darkness above and hear a horrible screech, but the spider keeps coming. Test your GRACE to avoid being hit. You have DISADVANTAGE since you’re stuck in the web.
Leaf: UGH. (Rolls 2 d20) I got an 8 on one and oh great a 20 on the other.
GM: 20 is critical, meaning the damage you take ignores your armor. (Rolls a d8 for damage) You feel the spider grasp you and try to get its teeth into you. Mark 3 damage. Then Viola, what do you do as you see the struggle in front of you?
Leaf: OUCH. Viola help me!
Viola: Ok I’m going to use my gift. I can tenderly smooch a hostile creature to calm it. I’m going to lay my hands on the spider, pet it and calm it down as I … ugh ... give it a kiss hoping that my healing magic is enough to heal this creatures’ hungry heart…
GM: I love it. How many Gift Dice are you going to spend on this? Looks like you have 2.
Viola: Yeah this is really risky so I’m gonna put everything I have into it. I’m gonna roll both. (Rolls 2 d6) Welp I got double 4s. That’s a SUM of 8 but a mishap right?
GM: Looking at your Special Ability, 8 is enough to succeed! But doubles are a mishap. Its wiry hairs poke your face as you put your whole heart into this kind gesture. Your healing kiss satiates its hunger and calms its heart. However, the powerful act has left you spent. You’re WEARY until you stop for something sweet to eat.
Leaf: Wow, that was amazing Viola!
Viola: Aww thanks. Next I want to use my knife to cut Leaf’s ankle free. Do I need to roll?
GM: Nope, that works just fine since it’s simple and you have the perfect tool for the job. What do you want to do next?
Leaf: Hmmm, my wild heart lets me talk to animals! I try to humbly speak to the spider, “Thank you for very kindly sparing us my friend…And my apologies for the arrow, but could you perhaps direct us to the other side of your home here so we can pass through without disrupting your…uhh beautiful webs?”
Viola: Oh and tell it I can remove the arrow if it wants too!
GM: Ok, Leaf, test your GRACE. But with advantage since the spider has already been calmed by Viola’s kiss.
Leaf: (Rolls two d20) 18 and a 6. Got it!
GM: The spider accepts your aid, and once you remove the arrow, it directs you through the webbed area without any trouble before crawling back into its lair. You find yourself on the other side of the webs in a bit of a clearing. The air is more fresh here and you hear birds chirping. What do you do next?
Viola: Well I’m weary until I find some sweets and you have a spider bite, Leaf. Do you want to PICNIC to heal up a bit before going on?
Leaf: Yeah and maybe you can look for some berries or something!
GM: Great. Leaf you can roll any Heart Dice you have to heal up and mark off one unit of trail food. This counts as spending time so we’ll roll to see if a wrinkle occurs while you’re foraging and resting…
