Using other RPG systems with Untold Adventures Await
(Originally posted as a reply to Rory O'Connor and reposted as a new thread at his request)
I had posted a question to him. (John Fiore) a while back and now, of course, am having more trouble finding answers since the posts that may have contained those answers are no longer available.
I was looking for John's advice on how to use Untold Adventures Await in conjunction with other RPG system rules. As I had told him, I do have some methods of my own for doing this, but know he had posted across a couple of different discussions with specific recommendations.
Would you be able to provide either John's or your own recommendations for how to incorporate outside RPG system rules into UAW - basically using it as a story generation/framing device for both solo and potentially group adventures?
Thanks for whatever advice you (or others) can provide.
Subbing this, as I do this but I'm interested in how they do it.
ReplyDeleteIt was something John himself did. I remember him recommending to use your rpg system as permissions (via success/failure in investigation attempts, spot checks, and the like) to ask questions which are answered with story cubes.
ReplyDeleteHi Russell Tripp Here is the breakdown of how to integrate Untold with your favourite RPG system for a crunchier experience.
ReplyDeleteJohn says:
SETTING UP: Swap out the 9 Rory's Story Cubes that come with Untold , replacing them with ones depicting icons that more closely match the RPG’s genre and themes for smoother interpretations. (Just make sure that you only ever use 9 RSCs at the most.) For example, combine 9 Story Cubes from the Enchanted, Medieval, and Mythic MIX sets to inspire the action for a traditional fantasy RPG.
GATHERING INFO: When you want to ask an Untold Question to get an answer that isn’t obvious or observable, you must FIRST succeed on a check of your chosen RPG’s relevant skill to earn permission to roll Story Cubes. If you fail the RPG's skill roll, a Question Token is NOT spent, but you cannot re-ask the same question. For example, wanting to know the answer to the question "Why did the Robotic Defense System suddenly attack the moon colony it was created to protect?" would likely require a character with a Computers Skill or Hacker Ability to analyze the robots and succeed on a skill roll before learning the truth. If the roll is a success, the character has figured it out, and the player gets to spend a Question Token to roll Story Cubes to inspire an answer.
TAKING ACTION: When it's time to interact with the threats in a scene, ignore the Action Tokens and replace Untold's Outcome & Reaction card system with your RPG’s task resolution system. Essentially, think of Untold’s Scene Tiles as the set-up of an encounter or challenge for the RPG, and then play out the situation as per your RPG's rules. For example, a Scene Tile reveals "In a dense jungle, hungry dinosaurs are chasing the heroes," so determine how the RPG would represent pursuit/chase scenes (and possible combat) with dinosaurs while in "difficult" jungle terrain.
Rory adds:
One way to maintain the creative restriction and forward momentum of Action Tokens, is to spend them when you declare overarching actions like "I investigate...", "I follow...", “I attack...” with each one using up one action token. These can then be resolved in more detail (with sub-actions) using your regular RPG system rules. That way a scene can still provide enough crunch while maintaining the ticking clock of limited actions that keeps the story moving.
If anyone else has ideas that build off the above, we'd love to hear them.
Oh, and John says Hi!
Rory O'Connor Thank you so much! And thanks to John as well.
ReplyDeleteI've just got my hands on my own copy of Untold (don't ask) AND have been reading the rules for D&D 5e with the goal of playing with my daughters, so I'm itching to give this a try to get in some practise. I'll let you know how it goes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the details, Rory O'Connor!
ReplyDeleteMy reaction to Rory O'Connor just getting Untold! xD
ReplyDeleteHey, D&D 5e + RSCs sounds like something I'd try. Thanks for sharing all the tips!
https://plus.google.com/photos/...
Yea, thanks Rory O'Connor for the details! Great game. It’s so helpful in framing solo games!
ReplyDeleteRory O'Connor As an alternative to the use of action tokens you laid out, I have an idea that I haven't tested yet, but will certainly report back here once I get a chance.
ReplyDeleteI want to try playing Dungeon World solo using UAW. My thought is that instead of using action tokens to limit character actions or ignoring them completely, I could use them as a way of tracking GM moves made primarily in response to a miss (rolling a 6- on 2d6) when attempting character moves. When the action tokens run out, it's a signal to end the scene, reveal the next tile, and possibly make a GM move (no action token) that ties the next scene into this one.
Like I said, I haven't tried it yet, but once I do I'll let everyone know how well it works or not.
Great idea. DW is the next RPG on my list to play solo. So I’ll give it a try too.
ReplyDeleteRussell Tripp That's actually a really cool way to manage the GM move mechanic. Great idea!
ReplyDelete