Expanding Our Toolkit

Celebrating over 1,500 downloads of Named by dropping in some of the tools and approaches we are currently playing around with. The concept of a Toolkit like Named is that is continuously evolves to meet the needs of play and specific world, so we having been doing this. But note I’m not likely to update the current public version anytime soon as there is enough there for others to get the concept and create their own solutions.

Page numbers here are for the longer Wightbred’s Toolkit, but all the concepts are also useful for the Named Summary,

Play To Lift

Interested in exploring this concept from Nordic LARP and the connection to the ‘Drive it like we stole it together’ Principle (p20). I see an interesting overlap here for players seeking to spotlight and encourage each other, but want to understand more.

Bangs!

I like the sometimes like to prepare exciting things to happen in play, similar to the ‘Bangs!’ concept. Some experimentation on the best way to do this with emergent play is needed, potentially a random list of options.

Deadly Rolls

This is an alternative to adjusting standard injuries (p188+) to make play more deadly. We’ve found it very easy to emulate more deadly games by pushing for more rolls, as this increases the chance of a failure and hence death.

Burn Subordinates

This is an extension of Taking Out a Supporter (p218) that we have been using for space troopers and similar deadly action games. When we use this, each Supporter is still listed as a Name, and has a single specialty Name of their own (Medic, Sniper, etc). Some options:

• Moss’ Disposables: Take Out a Supporter to generate a success that ignores the current dice roll. This is a generous way to do it, but we’ve found it works well for highly deadly games where you want the characters to survive a little longer.
• Dark Disposables: You can only Take Out a Supporter by creating a Dark Secret that involves them and also draws out more of the character’s background.

Rochambeau Resolution

Thinking about experimenting with Rock Paper Scissors as sometimes alternative way to the One Die Engine resolution. When doing this a tie might be a Devil’s Bargain, and as usual a Name, Help or Emotion lets you try again but changes the Impact. The number of Swords / Skulls could be determined based on the number of ‘rolls’, or the winning move (Rock as three, Scissors two, and Paper one). The latter approach might offer some really interesting tactics.

Solo

Although one of the players involved in this is a little unreliable, but I’ve been making solo play work for me. Still finding I don’t need much more than the Gamemaster’s Apprentice cards to make this work, but have kept using multiple characters as I’ve found this more engaging. More experimentation to come.

Hope you are enjoying roleplaying with your group and the worlds you explore.

Cheers.