A role-playing “novel” (RPN)? How does that work?
The RPN is a mix of role-playing game (RPG) and traditional (linear) novel. With a RPG, the player assumes a character within a fictional world, playing the part of that character and interacting with various creatures, items and locations. RPGs also use a variety of statistics to track various elements throughout the game, such as character health (hit points). These elements have been creatively added to the traditional novel experience within the RPN; the reader doesn’t just passively read about the characters within the story, but actually becomes one of them.
So I control a character within the novel. Can I do anything I want?
No, the RPN is developed in such a way that the player is given multitudes of options to choose from, but cannot just go or do anything desired. Instead, the RPN author has designed a series of scenarios (or “encounters”) that present a situation and lets the player select from up to three specific resolutions. Then, depending on the option chosen, his character statistics (or those of his adventuring party) are altered, many times permanently. So the general storyline follows a linear (and unalterable) path just like a typical novel, but character statistics and in-game variability provide a more role-playing game-like interactive experience as well.
What are “episodes” within the novel?
Like chapters in a book, episodes break the novel into much smaller chunks, short stories of their own and yet linear pieces of a greater narrative. RPN episodes are designed to take about an hour to complete, and new episodes should be added every two to four weeks.
Sounds intriguing. How do I get started?
You can first browse some simple instructions, or learn a little more about the Mairigan fantasy world that the RPN is based upon. After browsing the RPN itself, you’ll see an initial login screen; near the bottom left, click the “Click here to register!” link button and complete the simple registration form that appears. Upon a successful registration, you’ll be automatically taken to the first page of the RPN and allowed to begin the adventure! Be sure to return to the login screen in the future to continue the RPN.
I’ve started the RPN and see four tabs: Map, Party, Items and Lore. Explain the Party tab
While you begin the RPN as a young teen, eventually you’ll meet and recruit fellow heroes who will join your party and adventure alongside your character. As you progress through the RPN, you’ll gain wealth (upper left in panel) and your party’s reputation will change, improving or degrading depending upon the choices that you make. Each member of your party is further defined by three parameters that range from 0-99: Body (representing the physical), Mind (representing the mental) and Spirit (representing the spiritual). Two sets of values for each parameter is displayed, the first representing your CURRENT score and the second representing your MAXIMUM score. So, while your body values begin at 20/20, if your character becomes injured during an episode and loses five points, the values will then read 15/20. If any of the three parameters reach zero (body, mind OR spirit), that character will be rendered unconscious and unable to help the party until healed.
Explain a little about items within the RPN
Items are things that the adventuring party can carry and utilize throughout their adventures, such as a potion of healing or wand of force. Unlike most RPGs, items are NOT assigned to individual characters, but are instead shared amongst the party when used. For example, a potion of healing will always affect the most wounded character, while a wand of force will provide additional magical protection to the entire party. Many items are consumed and destroyed when they’re used, while some items (such as gems) have an intrinsic worth and hence are not “used” at all (their effects being “permanent” within the RPN). An important note about most items is that their effects only occur during combat; utilizing a wand of force outside of combat will not help the adventuring party (at least not until the next battle begins).
I just read about the country of Kiz—how do I learn more?
Many subjects provided within the narrative can be further explored by clicking the Lore tab and then selecting the subject under the appropriate creature, item or legend/lore dropdown menu (in the case of Kiz, pull down the legend/lore menu and simply select “Kiz”—details will appear within the text field immediately below). This mechanism allows you to learn more about a wide variety of subjects within the RPN, but note that these subjects are initially limited; the higher the mind scores possessed within the party, the more general knowledge that is available.
Combat has occurred, and I can attack, defend or intimidate—what’s the difference?
Whenever there is physical conflict within the RPN, a turn-based combat mechanism begins and each creature involved (player heroes, encountered beings and NPCs alike) receives one opportunity to act. At the beginning of each round, the player determines the party’s general strategy: Offense (try to cause as much damage as possible), Defense (minimize incoming damage and try to heal), or Intimidation (attempt to drive the opposition away through threat, insult and superiority). Each strategy has its benefits and drawbacks, but in general its best to initially attack, defend when body/mind/spirit points are getting low (so party healerpriests can automatically heal the wounded), and intimidate when encountered creatures are few and/or relatively weak.
What’s that little hourglass-like image that sometimes appears in the bottom left corner?
Whenever an encounter is successfully resolved, any wealth (measured in “peld chips”) and/or items associated with that encounter are automatically added to the party’s inventory (accessible via the Items tab). When this happens, a small image of a golden chalice will appear in the bottom left corner of the RPN, and rolling your cursor over the image will display the “loot” just recovered as well.
I’ve reached the end of the episode but I can’t continue—what’s the deal?
New episodes are being developed and added to the RPN, but each episode takes a few weeks to draft and complete, so until the next episode is ready to go, players will reach the end of all currently available episodes and will have to wait for the next. As each new episode is installed and made available, all RPN players will be emailed and notified.