Essence Devlog 1: Quickstart + playtest opening
I’ve added a one-page quickstart and a feedback form, with the aim of making it much easier to actually get the game to the table. The core rules is still there for anyone who wants the full detail, but the quickstart should be enough to run a short session and tell me what works (and what doesn’t).
If you run a session, i'd really appreciate feedback on the pace, defense stack, momentum and how it feels to do social and exploration scenes.
Here is my current approach to updating the game, I will keep this up to date in future devlogs.
My short term plan (next week or two)
1). Collect feedback from anyone running sessions
2). Upload a oneshot module along with several premade characters and a template for character sheets allowing people to run a session in Essence without having to write a full session
My longer term plan
1). Apply any clarity and gameplay fixes from playtesters
2). Try and reach a wider playtest community, if I get a few I will create an Essence Discord.
What I am not currently doing at this stage
I am deliberately at this stage not adding higher level spells, more perk trees, more monsters, magic items and axiomancy spells until I am completely happy with the core game. Even though they are the most fun, I believe this will be easiest for balancing and mechanics right now, but feel free to suggest them anyway. I will then expand the core rules to add a lot more of these elements to form a full rulebook. Once I have an all in one rulebook I am happy with, I
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Essence
Speed, stakes, and shared spotlight
| Status | In development |
| Category | Physical game |
| Author | airbadfly |
| Genre | Adventure, Role Playing |
| Tags | Fantasy, Narrative, Tabletop, Tactical RPG, Tabletop role-playing game |
| Languages | English |
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