EMPYREAN

In the first post of these series we established the following goals central to Empyrean RPG, but also, in my opinion, any storytelling game. Here we examine each of these goals, specifically in the context of Empyrean. Dynamic, dramatic, organic, character-centered narrative.  Empyrean lends itself well to this form of play because it centers on the characters. The manner of characters that the players will build will lay the foundations to the story that will be told. Because the players affect the background story of the Aethons, and their particular motivation that led them to incarnate in Arandor, they create themselves a deep storytelling current that they will further shape with their in-game choices. Ongoing story. Meaningful interaction. Tough calls, no clear-cut "right" or "wrong" choices.  Empyreans are ultimately human. Humans make mistakes. They get carried away. With such power in their disposal, their choices are dramatic and take cente...

In the previous post I established the basic elements, or the primary goals of designing a story-centric RPG experience. In this one, I will continue by trying to explain how Empyrean approaches the Storytelling experience broadly. Conceptual Design : First off, the concept sets the stage for powerful storytelling: The characters are mortal embodiments of the Aethons. As embodiments of these spiritual beings, they are driven by powerful passions and ideals which become essential to any kind of powerful storytelling. The players are also automatically marked by fate, which is also a very interesting concept that gives the player a lot of room of how to tackle and interpret it. Some players choose their characters to feel important and heroic, yet others like to laugh at such notions and face reality with cynicism and stoicism. The players' answers to this question shape the foundation of some of the essential elements of the stories they will participate in. The manne...

In the following posts I will attempt to establish my approach to Storytelling / Narrative gameplay, explore the character of story-based games, and explain how Empyrean RPG tackles these things. As we've discussed elsewhere Empyrean is a storytelling game. I would have even dared to use the "Narrative" term if it wasn't for the system having many elements that aren't strictly narrativist. I will try to expand on my thoughts about Narrative Games here. I don't believe some form of purism truly applies in these concepts, merely a measure by comparison. Ultimately all systems are coupled to the concept and world that they are used in, whilst "generic" systems tend to build "generic" worlds and may lead to a forgettable exploration (although ultimately the idea of the story overwhelms poor game mechanics, in my opinion). To the endless frustration of the patient and progressive people that were willing to put up with my maverick d...

Startled, Nyris cupped her palms around the flame protectively, fearing that it too would extinguish just as Akaon had vanished into stardust. Longingly, her starry eyes gazed into the flame, in search of any sign of Akaon within - but he was gone. Tears escaped her gaze then, and they were the most beautiful thing in all of creation. A silky voice broke from her mouth, carrying the unimaginable echo of her longing, and the voice intensified and echoed across the emptiness that surrounded her, as a lament, filled in equal part with love and sorrow, but infinitely beautiful. "Come back to me!" she whispered. "Come back to me!" she called. But only silence answered. And the echo of her voice. Stars woke in the aftermath of her lament, and some even tore themselves apart into bright novae, even as her song ensued, echoing across the cosmos, waking it into existence. When the song was over, the flame that became Yrion was surrounded by a myriad of woken sta...

The revelation of Nyris was a momentous event in Akaon's existence. Her presence placed everything in perspective. By gazing, bewildered, at Nyris, Akaon finally realized what he needed to do next. There was no doubt in his mind. As the winged goddess approached him, he approached her too, filled with purpose. Akaon raised the hand within which he bore the very fire of existence. The flame that could very well have once been his beating heart. Their meeting was momentous, and much of it is written in poems and hymns alike. For without it, there would be no Dream, and without the Dream, without the Flame of Yrion sustaining it, the universe would not be the same. Nyris approached and reached to touch the flame. Akaon gazed at her calmly, yet dazzled by the entirety of what had already happened, but also from the future that had been revealed to him alone. The flame of Eternity leaped from his hand to the embrace of Nyris, and just a moment before the two deities coul...