Idea Fairytale Rogue-Like Dice RP

Chordling

Bardbarian, the Divine Chordia of Concordia
Moderator
Hello!Sudden inspiration has motivated me to come up with this idea, so much so, that I am staying up past my bedtime. I will be fleshing out and looking for constructive feedback with no promises that this will turn into a completed project. To explain, I adore rogue-like video games, such as Darkest Dungeon, and most recently, Hades. These games require the player to start from the beginning, die, and begin again. The player will have the opportunity to learn and grow in strength with each attempt through perilous landscapes. Using these elements, I plan to create a rogue-like roleplay with mechanics inspired from these titles using a traditional, European fairytale theme.

...

Here is a list of characters/ fairytales that I may focus on for the RP, listed in no particular order:
The Evil Queen
The Big Bad Wolf

Sleeping Beauty
Snow White & the Seven Dwarves
Cinderella
Beauty & the Beast
The Little Mermaid
Rapunzel
Little Red Riding Hood
Hansel & Gretel
Rumplestiltskin
Goldilocks & the Three Bears
The Princess & the Frog
The Princess and the Pea
The Ugly Duckling
The Little Match Girl
The Snow Queen
Jack & the Beanstalk
Peter & the Wolf
The Three Little Pigs
 
Last edited:
The combination sounds cool, and since classic european fairytales are well known, they make for a fun playing ground.
May I also suggest the Tale of Hamelin? While not technically a fairytale, the Pied Piper makes for a flexible character to bring in, and the conflict of the story might make a good 'chapter setting'.

Some questions:
- Are you planning on going more linear with area progression, or open world (with the fairytale characters strewn inbetween)?
- Both the Evil Queen and the Big Bad Wolf are stock characters in multiple tales - will they always be the same character, or are there multiple of them for the players to find?
- Will the mechanics of the Rogue-like be tied in plot wise? E.g. some curse that needs certain terms met to break it?
- Will the players also fill the roles of fairytale stock characters?

I'm very curious to see where your ideas take you!
 
I’m glad you find the idea interesting! The Pied Piper is a great suggestion. I think it could be considered a legitimate fairytale, even. It’s well known enough like the others, too, and could add for an interesting flavor. Now, here is what I have as far as your questions go.

Are you planning on going more linear with area progression, or open world (with the fairytale characters strewn inbetween)?
Hmm, I’m not sure if I understand what you’re asking. But maybe this explanation will have some clarity. The players will explore different “rooms” that each contain a reward if they are successful at completing the challenge within it. In most cases, this will mean they must defeat monsters. The room’s challenges and rewards will be random every time, with the exception of bosses.

Both the Evil Queen and the Big Bad Wolf are stock characters in multiple tales - will they always be the same character, or are there multiple of them for the players to find?
They will always be the same character to better unify the collection of fairytales I’m throwing together.

Will the mechanics of the Rogue-like be tied in plot wise? E.g. some curse that needs certain terms met to break it?
I believe so, a bit. This answer requires more planning on my part to have a more honest answer.

Will the players also fill the roles of fairytale stock characters?
No- the fairytale characters will be separate from the players. They will be providing the players with special abilities to counter the dangers they cross during their adventure.
 
Hmm, I’m not sure if I understand what you’re asking. But maybe this explanation will have some clarity. The players will explore different “rooms” that each contain a reward if they are successful at completing the challenge within it. In most cases, this will mean they must defeat monsters. The room’s challenges and rewards will be random every time, with the exception of bosses.
Yeah, that was what I was getting at, thank you! I feel with the right kind of people, this can go interesting ways. Keeping the "rooms" random should keep players alert and engaged, but I see a lot of potential at tracking back to the bosses - trying new ways to approach them to solve the challenge. I honestly haven't come across something like this in a rp before, and there are some challenges for running something like this, but the payoff could be amazing.

They will always be the same character to better unify the collection of fairytales I’m throwing together.
I personally like that a lot - Fables did a (very heavy) take on that idea, and I think I vaguely remember reading somewhere that Jack from the Beanstalk and Jack Frost have the same roots. The Prince searching for a Bride is another classic trope that may lend itself to another reoccuring character.

I believe so, a bit. This answer requires more planning on my part to have a more honest answer.
No pressure! I am just throwing out thoughts

No- the fairytale characters will be separate from the players. They will be providing the players with special abilities to counter the dangers they cross during their adventure.
Yeah, that checks - which, leads back to giving the player characters a hook on how they got into this situation, but that ties back into the previous question as well and is kind of a big topic.
 
I personally like that a lot - Fables did a (very heavy) take on that idea, and I think I vaguely remember reading somewhere that Jack from the Beanstalk and Jack Frost have the same roots. The Prince searching for a Bride is another classic trope that may lend itself to another reoccuring character.
Are you familiar with Into the Woods? It’s another great concoction of fairytales. There is also the TV show, Once Upon a Time. I imagine I’ll be pulling some bits and pieces from those examples, too. ^^

The biggest parts of planning this are the mechanics and the plot itself, of course. I intend to flesh out more of these things today, with the expectation that my brain will not distract itself with a million other things.
 
Are you familiar with Into the Woods? It’s another great concoction of fairytales. There is also the TV show, Once Upon a Time. I imagine I’ll be pulling some bits and pieces from those examples, too. ^^

The biggest parts of planning this are the mechanics and the plot itself, of course. I intend to flesh out more of these things today, with the expectation that my brain will not distract itself with a million other things.
Yes! I have only seen the film version of Into the Woods, and I want to say 2 seasons? (it's been a while) of Once Upon a Time. I had a big obsession with fairy tales and mythology in media for a while, and I still love seeing people take these I grew up with and run wild with them. So to say I am a little excited about your idea is an understatement.

I'd be happy to hear more once you're there, but again, no pressure 😊
 
Update 5/4/2021
Here is some of the basic information I will continue to flesh out as I construct the rest of the setting.
Tagging Dannigan Dannigan since he requested that I inform him should I create a new setting. I'll admit, I don't believe this is fitting to your taste, but I figured I would still offer you the courtesy.

Basic Character
Health: 10/10
Speed: 0
Attack: 1d8
Special: 1d8
Spell: 1d10

Weapons
Sword
Daggers (unlock)
Spear (unlock)
Bow & Arrow (unlock)
Shield (unlock)
Book of Spells (unlock)

Favors
Sleeping Beauty - gives favors that inflict Snooze (stun).
Snow White - gives favors that inflict Envy (decreased enemy attack).
Cinderella - gives favors that increase dodge chance.
Belle - gives favors that add Charm (stun)
Ariel - gives favors that add Push (change enemy party order).
Rapunzel - gives boon that add Mark (marked enemy receives extra damage)
Little Red Riding Hood - gives favors that inflict Revenge (delayed burst damage).
Hansel & Gretel - gives favors that inflict Toothache (damage over time).
Goldilocks - gives favors that add Confusion (enemy chance to hurt self).
Jack - gives favors that increase battle rewards.
Peter - gives favors that increase critical damage.


Mini Bosses
Mirror, Mirror
Dragon
Belle’s Beast
Beanstalk Giant
 
Last edited:
Chordling Chordling Heya Chordling! You're right that this is not quite my style of setting, but I like what you're doing here as, if nothing else, you seem to be giving your creativity one hell of a gymnasium to improve itself with. Of course, you only get out of it what you put into it, but having dreamed up this neat concept, it's there for as long as you want it. Thanks for thinking of me! =)

Here's a bit of inspiration for you to take or toss as the mood hits you (just a handful of musical things that flew through my head while reading this thread). *hugs* Have fun, Chordling & everyone! =)

"Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers - Don't Come Around Here No More (Official Music Video)" (Alice in Wonderland is a modern-day fairy tale if there ever was one)


"Tamaryn - Angels of Sweat (Official Video)" (I just love the song and what they do in the video - everyone is so expressive!)


"Ladytron - Destroy Everything You Touch [Official Music Video]" (perhaps imagery for the Snow Queen?)


"Ladytron - Mirage" (Another song I like with an ancient religious theme of sorts - definitely the sort of mental realm fairy tales stem from in my view.)
 
Update 5/11/2021
Here is a small list of example of what the available favors that each fairytale can offer could look like.

Sleeping Beauty
Snooze: Enemies lose their following turn.

Attack +2 modifier applies Snooze
Special +2 modifier applies Snooze
Spell +2 modifier applies Snooze

Snoozed enemies take more Attack damage +2 modifier
Snoozed enemies take more Special damage +2 modifier
Snoozed enemies take more Spell damage +2 modifier
Snoozed enemies put other enemies to sleep upon waking up.
Snoozing an enemy clears a random party status problem.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top