CRAFTING THE COSMERE w/ Andrew Fischer and Lydia Suen: Adapting Brandon Sanderson’s Fantasy World into an Epic RPG

RPGBOT.Podcast

Join us as we chat with Game Designer Andrew Fischer and Narrative Designer Lydia Suen about the Cosmere RPG Kickstarter! We dive into the challenges of adapting Brandon Sanderson's expansive universe into a tabletop RPG, discuss the Kickstarter's success, and explore key game mechanics like the plot die and focus resource. Plus, get a sneak peek at character creation and the upcoming Stonewalkers adventure. Whether you're a Sanderson superfan or a TTRPG lover, this episode is a must-listen!

Summary

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the team talks to Game Designer Andrew Fischer and Narrative Designer Lydia Suen about the Cosmere RPG Kickstarter, discussing the challenges of bringing Brandon Sanderson's vast fantasy universe to life as a tabletop role-playing game. They explore the success of the Kickstarter campaign, the balance between narrative and mechanics, and the intricacies of adapting Sanderson's complex lore. The conversation highlights key game mechanics, such as the plot die and focus resource, and provides insights into character creation, including ancestry, path selection, and combat mechanics. The team’s dedication to staying true to the source material is evident as they discuss the upcoming Stonewalkers adventure and tease future releases like the Mistborn RPG. Whether you're a die-hard Sanderson fan or a TTRPG enthusiast, this episode offers a deep dive into the exciting world of the Cosmere RPG.

Links

• Cosmere RPG Kickstarter
• Cosmere RPG Youtube Playlist
• Andrew Fischer
• andrewfischergames.com
• @AFischerGames
• @EarthborneGames
• Lydia Suen
• https://www.lydiasuengames.com/
• @LydiaSuen31810
• Cosmere RPG on Demiplane
• Cosmere RPG digital content
• Free Beta PDF (affiliate link)
• Bridge Nine Adventure (affiliate link)

Chasmfiend Magazine #1 (affiliate link)

Takeaways

• The Cosmere RPG Kickstarter has been a massive success, surpassing its funding goal and breaking records.
• The design vision for the game includes balancing uniqueness and familiarity, narrative and crunch, and combat and non-combat encounters.
• The lore in Brandon Sanderson's books is extensive and interconnected, making it a challenge to adapt into a game.
• The team behind the Cosmere RPG is passionate about the project and has put a lot of effort into creating a comprehensive and enjoyable game.
• The World Guide serves as a valuable resource for fans of the Cosmere universe. Designing game systems that align with the lore of a fictional universe can be a challenge, but it is important for creating a cohesive experience.
• The plot die is a narrative mechanic that adds layers to skill tests and allows for interesting outcomes in the game.
• The focus resource is used for non-magical abilities and can be replenished during combat, adding strategic decision-making to gameplay.
• Character creation involves choosing an ancestry, a path, and setting goals, allowing for diverse and unique character development.
• Combat mechanics in the Cosmere RPG include slow turns, fast turns, and the limitation of one attack per turn, encouraging players to explore different actions and abilities. Character creation in the Cosmere RPG offers flexibility and allows players to fulfill their desired fantasy.
• The Stonewalkers adventure is suitable for both fans of the Stormlight Archive series and newcomers, offering multiple choices and paths.
• The adventure can lead to a canonical ending, but also allows players to make their own decisions and go off the beaten path.
• The release timeline for the Stormlight Archive books is expected to be in Q3 of 2025, while the Mistborn RPG is still in early alpha testing.

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