Festive magic. Modern day.

A fun, festive game with an international feel, allowing players to explore their inner elf in a steampunk North Pole.

Santa has resolution. 8K resolution to be precise. Elf powered, but never pixelated.

He believes toys should be robust, sustainable, ingenious and fun. They should encourage creativity and individuality … and above all be fun, embracing the true meaning of Christmas.

However, he has a rival. Krampus. Krampus is all about the digital - algorithms, in-game sales, click-bait. Screen-based, stereotype re-enforcing, cynical and commercial. Given his way, Christmas spirit would be replaced with an “Online Xmas Experience.”

Can our heroes ensure Christmas is fun and accessible to all, and does not become some digitised, superficial marketing campaign for the elite?

It will be a light, fun, fast game where players can drop in and out and play moves when it suits them.
We will start early to mid November and aim to finish in the first week or so of December, based on the needs of players.

Our game will see our characters preparing for Christmas. Each “day” in the game will be covered over 1-3 days in real life - its ok if players do not get to post that often.

You may learn new things you never knew about the traditions and inner workings of Santa’s Lapland kingdom!

You will have the chance to invent toys, and explore Christmas traditions from different parts of the world.

If you have played one of my previous Christmas games:

• The basic 12 days of Christmas countdown remains similar to give us a structure but will be updated

• The basic deck of cards is still here, but will be changed quite a lot to give us a new story

• There is totally no need to have any knowledge of previous games - but if you want to bring a previous character in, that is fine.

Um, hope I have covered everything, but do ask questions!

Ta-dah! It’s your move!

My move? How am I supposed to know what comes next?
This is a game for beginners, but a bit more advanced.
Some of the other games I have put up are just regular games designed to be easy to get into and with someone on hand to explain anything to new players.
This one however is less about getting to grips with the mechanics, and more how to navigate some of the tricky things that can come up.

Like, when you just do not know what to post next.

I intended this game to be like a lucid dream - taking a song, some ideas, an image, and just see what it conjures up.

Don’t try to second guess what I want. Have a look, and just ask yourself what story would I write from this (and would I want to?).

And then go for it. What type of character? What era? You decide!
The only wrinkle will be is if we have 2 players with totally different ideas - but that can happen, and we will work through it together.

By all means, reach out to me if you need to - its always good to talk to the narrator if unsure - but don’t worry about failing. If you think you might like this - whatever you think this is! - have a go at a character. At worst, we can have a discussion about some of the challenges when you are not sure what you are expected to write next, and how we can address that as players (and narrators). At best, we will end up with an interesting bit of writing together.

Game brief

What a Day That Was - a song by David Byrne.

And on the first day, 
we had everything we could hold
Ooh  - and then we let it fall
And on the second day, 
there was nothing else at all
Ooh what a day that was.

There are fifty thousand beggars
Roaming in the streets
They have lost all their possessions
They have nothing left to eat

I'm dreaming of a city
It was my own invention
I put the wheels in motion
A time for big decisions

Down comes a bolt of lightning
Start an electrical storm
Starts a chain reaction
Go pull a fire alarm

(Lemme tell you a story)
Big chief with a golden crown    
He's got rings on his fingers
And then he walks up, up to the throne

And if you feel like you're in a whirlpool
You feel like going home
You feel like talking to someone
Who knows the difference between right and wrong

What a day that was.

Poetry is one thing.
But to live it….

More game info @ Info for invitees and applicants

Twenty years ago Elf Mountain was taken.

Now it is time to take it back.

It was home to the purebred Sanate elves, and also their cousins, Mākai elves, commonly known as wood elves.

Within its heart was the Jinta crystal - huge, running the length of the mountain, solid on the outside but vibrant with liquid magma coursing through it.

While the Sanate elves attended it, it provided the natural energy for crops, creatures and peoples in the surrounding lands to do well and prosper.

Then the Garginoids invaded. Times before they had been repelled, but this time they were organised and determined. They seized the mountain, and forced most of the elves out.
They thought they could control the Jinta.

They could stifle it - but they could not fully control it.

The Sanate elves turned to stone as the Garginoids corrupted its power.
The Mākai elves, however, were able to escape and make homes elsewhere.

All over the land, crop yields were high, and deaths from disease increased. The sky just seemed a little greyer.

The Garginoids also suffered. They became unable to reproduce, and struggled to obtain enough food. Of course, they terrorised nearby villages for resources.

The average life span of a Garginoid is fifty years. So, now, twenty years later, it is reckoned safe to return. The elves have built themselves up and acquired some new friends. The Garginoids they calculate are now of reduced numbers, and advanced age…

However, the journey will not be easy. Where once there was harmony and justice, now there is suspicion and fear. Hard, even wicked rulers have replaced benign ones; and cruel creatures have moved into the region…

We are seeing what AI can do!

I ran this game before with the OLD AI.

The NEW AI is a BIG advance - let’s see how much we can rely on AI to write out moves!

The theme is Dr Seuss - we are trying to have really minimal content, lots of reference to colours (and Dr Seuss creatures and objects) so we can see how the AI responds to the content we do put in.

A freeform game of diplomacy and conflict (and trade) with a D&D feel. Not huge focus on magic and monsters. Lots of scope for character development and story steering

No established external canon to worry about - the narrator will tell you all you need to know as you go.

I would want any player to tell me if I need to adjust to increase their access or inclusion.

Headlines

This game focuses on diplomatic problem solving and advancement, set in a medieval fantasy world. It is set for three scenes but there may be sequels. This is to focus on the initial game being completed without losing momentum, but with the option for enthusiasts to continue.
It would suit people who enjoy writing about conflict resolution, diplomacy and (small p) politics. In other words, running a government and steering a people, alongside personal character development.

The game will not start until there is a core of players who have a track record or known to the narrator so we have the best chance of the game being seen through to the end.

About the story:

Your character is part of a diplomatic team with an unusual and engaging brief.

Your home land (Vitriol) has signed a treaty with an overseas country (Laskia), making a port town and some surrounding land in that continent sovereign territory of Vitriol. This is to enable efficient trade between the two peoples.
This brings a whole portfolio of opportunities and problems - not lease managing conflicting interests and possible resentment from locals. There is of course plenty of politics, as individuals and groups try to pursue their own interests.

Game world:

The game world is medieval / fantasy. Magic exists but is not over very significant importance.

Game style:

Political, diplomatic drama, with an expectation of plotting and advantage seeking.

Expect a succession of challenges for your characters as various people or groups wish to protect their interests. Drama is likely to compound and build.

The game is likely to be fairly fast paced with a lot to read - but less frequent posters will be made welcome.

New players will be encouraged by the narrator.

About the narrator and players:

There will be a lot of scope to bring your own ideas to the table. The narrator will drip-feed core information about the game world so you will not have to read lots of source material in advance.

Players are asked to communicate weekly so we know you are still playing. As players have different speeds you do not need to worry about “posting in order” or waiting for everyone to post.
Players are asked to be respectful to one another and patient if there are differences of opinion or style.

Suspense, modern day

This game is presented as a chance for people new to Storium to get to grips with things and ask questions, as they find their way to additional games. You might see this to the end, or it would be acceptable to leave once you are established.

I would want any player to tell me if I need to adjust to increase their access or inclusion.

A low budget TV production company is focusing on a series of programmes in which supernatural “experts” visit supposedly “haunted” houses and make a documentary about them.
Surprise, surprise they manage to find evidence of the spirit world in every one.

But then they visit one premises which gives them a very uneasy feeling…

Sci fi with no established canon.

Chat to me in the lobby if you like Star Wars or Doctor Who and I can direct you to those games!

I would want any player to tell me if I need to adjust to increase their access or inclusion.

About the story

A bold crew seek out injustice and deal with it beneath the radar and outside of the official agencies. They have a battle-ready spacecraft, and are joined with a huge merchant vessel which allows them to trade for funding and for cover.

Join them, as a tactician, specialist, investigator or merchant!

You are keen for adventure, and this ship offers the opportunity to get out there and explore the Universe.

Cypreece, a cyborg freedom fighter of some renown, is determined to seek out the wicked and corrupt where-ever he finds them.

And right now he has assembled a crew that is good at finding trouble… and sometimes getting out of it.

They have a powerful starship, and an assortment of fighter craft. But they are also now in tow with a very large cargo and passenger craft. This brings its problems, but also opportunities. Usually opportunities to find problems…

Officially you are after the rogue ships. But sometimes to really bring justice you need to go after the rogue lawyers, the corrupt politicians, the faces behind the faceless corporations….

Our heroes have their sights on space pirates… but also an exploitative corporate they have crossed swords with before…

Dragon and sorcery game - fun but serious.

No established canon to worry about. Drop in any time.

Characters are be student spell-users learning their art, and in particular how to handle their dragons at a specialist University!

The University usually takes students in their mid-teens but no real age limits on characters.

Read the opening scene for more info!

I would want any player to tell me if I need to adjust to increase their access or inclusion.

This game is nearing its end but there is still scope to drop in!

Festive magic. Modern day.

A fun, festive game with an international feel, and zombies, allowing players to explore their inner elf.

Last year, Santa went missing, and had to be rescued. He is resilient, but it hit him hard…

Still, maybe that is for the best. He is a tougher Santa, more ready for problems now. And this year, the world has problems to spare….

Can our heroes ensure Zombies do not ruin Christmas?

It will be a light (apart from undead swarms), fun, fast game for a lot of players.
We will start in first week or so of December.

Our game will see our characters preparing for Christmas. Each “day” in the game will be covered over 1-3 days in real life - its ok if players do not get to post that often.

We will not do much over the actual Christmas eve and Christmas day - though players will be welcome to post! And we will finish some time before New Year, if all goes to plan.

You will learn new things you never knew about the traditions and inner workings of Santa’s Lapland kingdom!

Modern day with mood of the past - focus on writing story, especially character development and backstory. Mystery.

𝕵𝖚𝖘𝖙 𝖕𝖆𝖘𝖙 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖕𝖔𝖘𝖙 𝖇𝖔𝖝, 𝖆𝖋𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖍𝖊𝖉𝖌𝖊

𝖎𝖘 𝖆 𝖘𝖒𝖆𝖑𝖑 𝖙𝖚𝖗𝖓𝖎𝖓𝖌.

𝖄𝖔𝖚 𝖕𝖗𝖔𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖑𝖞 𝖓𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗 𝖓𝖔𝖙𝖎𝖈𝖊𝖉 𝖎𝖙

𝖆𝖘 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖜𝖆𝖑𝖐𝖊𝖉 𝖕𝖆𝖘𝖙.

𝕹𝖔 𝖔𝖓𝖊 𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗 𝖉𝖔𝖊𝖘.

𝕹𝖊𝖝𝖙 𝖙𝖎𝖒𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖆𝖗𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊,

𝖌𝖑𝖆𝖓𝖈𝖊 𝖔𝖚𝖙 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖈𝖔𝖗𝖓𝖊𝖗 𝖔𝖋 𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖗 𝖊𝖞𝖊.

𝖄𝖔𝖚 𝖜𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝖘𝖊𝖊 𝖆 𝖑𝖎𝖓𝖊 𝖔𝖋 𝖍𝖊𝖉𝖌𝖊, 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖓 𝖆 𝖋𝖊𝖜 𝖍𝖔𝖚𝖘𝖊𝖘

𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖑𝖔𝖔𝖐 𝖑𝖎𝖐𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖞 𝖆𝖗𝖊 𝖋𝖗𝖔𝖒 𝖆𝖓𝖔𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖗 𝖊𝖗𝖆.

𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖗𝖊𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖓𝖙 𝖔𝖋 𝖊𝖆𝖈𝖍 𝖔𝖓𝖊 𝖍𝖆𝖘 𝖆 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞 𝖙𝖔 𝖙𝖊𝖑𝖑.

This story is constructed for just one scene. We can have all the usual enthusiasm of building our characters and starting the game, and tell our tale in one scene.
Of course, if things go well we can add in a second or even a third scene.