Variant RPGaDay2026 - Day 13, 14, and 15

A lot of the games I tend to play avoid the whole notion of character classes, instead working off point buy systems or open concepts where the players are able to develop their own ideas.  I don't have a whole lot of "OSR-type" games which would probably work for it... so, I'm picking through the options that I've got to make this sequence of posts work.

 

Today's batch... one of the PbtA games that I've tolerated enough to run a couple of times... Monsterhearts.

Batch 5 (Monsterhearts)

With today's prompts including a lot of the term "Associates", it felt appropriate to pick a game about social interaction and how that plays out in tense situations. One of the problems here is that the interesting characters are expected to be the player characters, and it gets tricky to have the antagonists and support characters picking "player character moves". Perhaps the fact that I'm leaving these NPC write-ups fairly vague and am 

Intellect – Strain – Blessed (The Chosen)

There are a thousand prophecies in the world, and it feels like each of them could be translated a thousand different ways. However, Lily was identified by three local occult bookstore owners, a local crystal shop proprietor, and a homeless guy who screams about the apocalypse... no one can argue when this many prophecies converge.

"Lily Davis"

Goal: Every night it feels like a new part of a prophecy is revealed, and there's a new issue to deal with. Lily just wants to survive the prophecy and get back to her regular life. 

Obstacle: Lily would say that it isn't one obstacle, it's constant obstacles. There's always a new interpretation of a prophecy, and she she feels like she has no control of her own destiny. There's always something new, there;s always a monster to be confronted or an issue to face, and it's wearing her down.

Strength: Wherever she goes, Lily is always prepared. She spend some time at the beginning of the day, meditates on the prophecies that seem relevant and takes what she believes she will need. So far she has always been right, she is always seems to be carrying the type of equipment necessary to her tasks, even when no one could possible know for certain what the day might bring.

Weakness: Lily has constantly been told that when the time comes, she will only be able to rely on herself. She knows that the darkest part of her journey will see many of her friends fall, and she doesn't want to inflict this on the people she values. She walks a path alone and has no close friends.

 

Associates – Regard – Fair of Face (The Infernal)

A recent transfer student came to the school a few weeks ago, there are plenty of stories about where she came from, maybe somewhere in Eastern Europe, maybe Turkey or somewhere in the Middle East. With dark hair, an olive complexion, and an accent that's hard to pin down, she enchanted many of the boys at school, and many of the girls took an instant dislike to her. Most students only know her as "B.L."

"Belinda Louise Zebub"

Goal: When Belinda discovered that her father was a demon, she indulged the dark arts and learned to manipulate the shadows of the world to empower her soul. However she felt the tug of the abyss and it scared her. She wants to pay off her debts and break free of her obligations.

Obstacle: She has moved around several times. Sometimes because she has drawn the attention of hunters, sometimes demons, and sometimes things just got too tense. She knows it is only a matter of time begore she is discovered here, and tries to keep a low profile.

Strength: Belinda is beautiful and can allure a target with a few vague and indistinct promises, she also hears whispers on the wind that tell her the deepest darkest secrets of those around her (but in a crowd she can never tell which secrets belong to which people). She carefully regards everyone as a potential tool in her quest for freedom.

Weakness: She often feels the darkness eating at her soul, and knowing that it will only be a matter of time before the forces of light and darkness find her again, she is in a race against the clock to build her defences, or run away again ...

Associates – Endurance – Full of Grace (The Queen)

Drake Goodchild was born to one of the richest families in town, and it is expected that he will be the king of the prom when the time comes. His family have already made the right connections to ensure he'll be getting into an Ivy League college, and moving straight into a junior management position in his family's prestigious law firm before moving into politics. The way things are going these days, he can even afford to have a criminal record and a drug problem and could still become a senator, or even president.

"Drake Goodchild"

Goal: He wants to make a mark on the world and be known for something of greatness, the first step on that path is to work out what kind of mark to make. He knows that he has a privileged path laid put before him, he just needs to endure the ups and downs before greatness is eventually thrust upon him.

Obstacle: Every time Drake tries to do something for himself, other people take over and try to improve things, or try to be a part of the "unfolding greatness". Too many other people get in the way, and even though those other people are getting things done, he feels like the eye of the storm.

Strength: Drake has a clique of allies who all want to be a part of his rise to success. If there's anything he wants, he just has to ask one of the various people around him and it will be done quickly and easily. He gets by on his connections and his reputation as a golden child.

Weakness: Drake is starting to worry that without his family connections, and those people around him that fawn over his every wish and desire, he would be nothing. Imposter syndrome is starting to creep up on him.