So...
I am thoroughly enjoying the clips of Frieren that the algorithm has been sending my way, and also devouring Pey's Youtube videos dissecting the storytelling strengths of the anime (good one on foreshadowing HERE). I hope to be getting some Japanese language manga to read later the year.
How would one make a FRPG with as deep storytelling as Frieren?
Two lessons:
1 SLOW IT DOWN
In most FRPGs, characters are going on adventures constantly, either ignoring the gameworld calendar or filling it up with breakneck speed.
How about we flip this? An adventure happens only once every D100 years. Travel either to or from the dungeon or locale takes D12 months. So, exploring a dungeon might take take 2D12 months to get there and return to town, plus however many days are spent exploring it.
Add to that the party's next adventure could take place 30 years later. This means all human characters would be middle aged, while demihumans would be unchanged. You'd have to carry on with the fighter's son or the priest's acolyte instead, adding depth and some wistfulness to the tale.
2 MAKE MEMORIES COUNT
How about if we link any non combat ability to a RITUAL or an OBJECT. Just like Frieren's ring, which reminds her of Himmel and helps her connect to Fern, or Eisen's habit of making big steaks for a character's birthday. In game terms, these could be used to give insights or information, make connections with PCs or NPCs, or give a clue for the next big challenge.
3 FORGET THE RULES
Notice I didn't suggest any ruleset or rule changes. I think these suggestions could be ported into any OSR style game with ease and really deepen the roleplaying experience. Maybe throw in some of those wonderful old Yearly Events table from older editions to spice things up with natural disasters, character sickness, or raises in social status. It would make demihumans worth playing, and make the game closer to its literary inspirations than the video game aesthetics that seem to be dominating the genre.
I'd play it.
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