Realms Untold™ System Overview

So, what is a tabletop roleplaying game?

Remember those times when you played make-believe games as a kid? Where you'd imagine yourself as a brave warrior, a powerful superhero, or a daring space adventurer? Well, tabletop roleplaying games also called TTRPGs, take that same sense of wonder and adventure you had as a kid and turn it into a structured and rules-based gaming experience you can enjoy no matter how old you are.

At its core, a TTRPG provides a set of rules and guidelines that allow you, along with a group of friends, family members, or complete strangers, to tell a collaborative story that is both coherent and fun to hear; all while gathered around a table in the comfort of a living room or a café. Playing a TTRPG is like participating in an ever-changing theater play, or playing a videogame that doesn't have a fixed script, it is an interactive storytelling experience where the decisions the characters make throughout the course of a game session shape the story as it is being told. 

When playing the Realms Untold™ Tabletop Roleplaying Game System, your group will create characters that represent them all inside the game world, giving them all backstories, personality traits, and goals they want to achieve. Together, you will embark on an adventure where said characters will face challenges and overcome obstacles with the help of one of you who will play as the scribe. The scribe will be in charge of setting the scene, controlling enemies and/or non-player characters, as well as adjudicating the rules. You’ll find that as you play, your characters will grow and evolve. They'll gain experience, acquire new skills and abilities, and become more powerful, but they'll also face tougher choices and sometimes, tragic consequences for their actions.

So, what are you waiting for to explore fantastical worlds and become part of an epic story?

Roles at the Table

In most TTRPGs (not all of them though), there are two fundamental roles that players can assume: that of the Game Master, also called the GM; and those of the Player Characters, also called PCs. When playing the Realms Untold™ TTRPG System, the player who takes on the role of the Game Master is referred to as the 'Scribe'.

The Realms Untold™ Tabletop Roleplaying Game System is designed to be played with a minimum of 2 players at the table. But it can also be played with as many players as the scribe can effectively manage. If you and your group are new to the TTRPG experience, we strongly recommend having a range of 4 to 6 players at your table, including the one playing as the scribe.

The scribe

The scribe plays a central role at the table, with responsibilities that include preparing and running sessions, acting as the main storyteller who brings the game world to life by describing its characteristics and interpreting the actions of the PCs’ allies and enemies alike, and also adapting the story to reflect the consequences of the players' choices. Lastly, they hold the ultimate authority at the table, when it comes to resolving disputes, whether they're related to the game’s rules or addressing interpersonal conflicts among players.

The player characters

Other players should each assume the role of a Player Character. These characters are typically the central figures within the story, and their actions drive the narrative forward as the game progresses. Each player should have a character sheet that they fill in with information about their characters, such as their appearance, attribute dice, equipment, perks, proficiencies, skills, and talents. This sheet of paper serves the purpose of recording the character's statistics and growth throughout the adventure.

The basics of playing TTRPGs

Similar to many other tabletop roleplaying game systems, the basic game structure for a session of the Realms Untold TTRPG System™ usually follows these three steps:

1. The scribe starts by setting the scene for the player characters. This involves describing the environment, the current situation, and the features of the surrounding area, as well as the presence of any objects or creatures in the vicinity. By providing this information, the scribe helps the players visualize the action and consider possible courses of action. The players can be found inside a bustling tavern, the frigid moon of a distant planet, or the perilous ruins of an abandoned city.

2. The Player Characters express their intentions and resolve their actions, which may involve making dice rolls. Based on the information provided by the Scribe, each player can describe or act out the actions they wish their characters to take in the given situation. If these actions involve challenges, such as climbing a rock wall or navigating a strong river current, the scribe may ask the players to resolve the outcomes of those actions through dice checks.

3. The scribe then narrates the results of the character's actions, which leads to the cycle starting again. Depending on the outcome of the dice checks described in the last step, the scribe explains how the situation has changed to reflect the character's successes or failures. For example, if a character successfully climbs the rock wall, they may discover a hidden cave entrance nearby. On the other hand, if a character fails to swim through a river current, they may end up stranded in a hazardous location, far from a safe crossing point. Describing these new circumstances often leads back to the first step in the process.

This structure remains the same even in situations like combat or social interactions. It's important to note that in some cases the framework allows for a more freeform structure, enabling a single player to take multiple actions. While in other scenarios, such as combat, actions tend to be resolved in a specific turn order, with each participant having a limited number of actions per turn.

Four rules to rule them all

Before delving deeper into the specifics of the game, it’s important to understand four simple rules that remain present throughout the entire gameplay. Once you and your players understand and agree to these rules, you’ll be ready to start a Realms Untold TTRPG System™ game session.

1. Rounding down. This game involves basic arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Unless stated otherwise, whenever you perform these operations and end up with a fraction or decimal number, always round down to the nearest whole number even if the fraction or decimal is higher than one-half.

2. Specific beats general. When there’s a conflict between two rules, such as when one rule allows you to do something while another rule doesn’t, the more specific rule takes precedence over the more general one.

3. The scribe always has the last word. If a conflict that can’t be resolved using the specific beats general rule arises, such as a contradiction between rules or an overlapping of similar rules, and there is no clear answer readily available, the person playing as the scribe has the authority to make a quick decision to keep the narrative flowing. You can always reread the rules, resolve the issue, and make adjustments to the gameplay afterward if needed.

4. This is a game for everyone. This rule is perhaps the most important on this list. The Realms Untold TTRPG System™ is a game that values diversity and cooperation, regardless of racial and/or class differences, and emphasizes that strength comes from working together to achieve a common goal. While inside the game world, the goal may be to stop a group of bandits from causing chaos or to rescue lost researchers on a distant planet. Outside it, the goal should always be to create a safe and inclusive space where everyone can have fun together, regardless of age, gender, skin tone, religion, sexual preferences, or any other personal trait.

These four rules set the foundation for gameplay and promote fairness, creativity, and inclusivity in and out of your table. By understanding and embracing these rules, you and all other players will make sure to embark on a memorable journey, forging bonds, unraveling mysteries, and crafting a narrative that reflects the values of teamwork and inclusivity. Together, you’ll be able to create an enriching and immersive gaming experience that will leave a lasting impact on all participants.

What do I need to start playing?

Remember that playing TTRPGs is an exercise of imagination and much of the action will ultimately unfold inside your mind and that of the other players. However, there are a few supplies that can enhance your gaming experience when diving into a game session of the Realms Untold TTRPG System™. 

One essential item to have at your playing table is a set of polyhedral game dice. These specialized dice that feature various shapes and numbered sides, add an element of chance and excitement to the gameplay, you can easily find a set of polyhedral dice at your local game store, or conveniently purchase them from your favorite online retailer. Rolling these dice will determine the outcomes of your character's actions, adding suspense and unpredictability to the game. In addition to dice, it's helpful to have note-taking supplies readily available. A pencil and paper, or even a notepad, allow you to write down important details, record character names, track the party’s inventory, or quickly sketch a map.  Furthermore, it is crucial for each player to have a Realms Untold TTRPG System™ Character Sheet. These sheets serve as a valuable resource for organizing and tracking your character's attributes, abilities, skills, and progress. 

To access all of the Realms Untold Tabletop Roleplaying Game System™ and other OR15 publishing™ resources, you can explore this site or visit our www.drivethrurpg.com publisher profile. Now, gather your supplies, ready your imagination, and embark on an unforgettable journey through the worlds of the Realms Untold TTRPG System™.

Interested? Continue reading about the rules for the game here.