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Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight RPG is D&D-inspired, but with a twist

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Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight RPG is D&D-inspired, but with a twist

As a longtime fan of Brandon Sanderson and his intricately woven narratives, I’m beyond excited to witness the next level of immersion that is The Stormlight Roleplaying Game (RPG). With a background in tabletop RPGs and having read the entirety of Sanderson’s Cosmere series multiple times, I can’t help but be intrigued by the introduction of the Plot Die.

Brandon Sanderson, the writer behind The Stormlight Archive collection, has experienced significant success in recent years with several high-earning crowdfunding campaigns. In 2022, his Dragonsteel Entertainment raised over $41 million from four undisclosed novels and an extra $23 million for a series of luxury reprints. Sanderson’s latest venture is a collaboration with tabletop game publisher Brotherwise Games for The Stormlight Roleplaying Game, launching on Kickstarter August 6th. Our team at TopMob had the opportunity to preview a beta version of the rules and discovered a tabletop RPG based on the d20 system, similar to Dungeons & Dragons. However, an intriguing twist sets it apart: An unusual die that holds great potential.

The die referred to is named a Plot Die, a standard six-sided die employed exclusively for significant rolls. These instances arise when a player aims to intensify the situation or consequence of an action. Such rolls could potentially influence the ongoing mission, align with a character’s motivations or challenges, or heighten tension through high-stakes tests.

When rolling a five or six, players gain an “Opportunity Token.” These tokens can be used to help teammates, restore mental energy called “focus,” inflict critical damage, or shape the story in a favorable way. Rolling a one or two results in a “Complication Token” instead. Complications work against the players, either hindering allies, draining focus, or negatively impacting the narrative progression.

As a seasoned tabletop RPG player with years of experience under my belt, I can tell you that what’s truly fascinating about this game mechanism is the power it grants both the Game Master (GM) and the players. At any given moment during the game, either party has the ability to add an extra layer of excitement to a roll, subject to GM approval.

Is the beta version of the game’s narrative influence mechanic clear and helpful enough for both players and game masters? Will this feature add depth to the gaming experience, or will it require players to come up with story developments during gameplay? I’m looking forward to finding answers to these questions when the free 94-page document and a 30-page introductory adventure become available as part of the Kickstarter campaign on Aug. 6. Fans of The Stormlight Archive and tabletop role-playing games can join in testing this out.

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2024-07-24 19:48

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