If you’d like to leave a review for Stravagante! feel free to share it here.
A pocket-sized RPG of whimsical fantasy adventure! · By
I've only had a single chance to play with this new game and system so far, but absolutely loved it! Character creation went really fast (I was secretly finishing it up while the other players recapped the adventure I missed 🤫) Our little adventuring party was really diverse and it really felt like I could play any type of character I could imagine! It all came down to the people I got to play with and the simplicity of the game system. Instead of feeling like a railroaded adventure, it felt more like a story that we were creating together. Since the rulebook is such an awesome pocket-size, it's really simple to flip through and find the answers to questions of game play. The additional pamphlets are really fun too!
I colored my booklets. :)
What a fun little game. It has the mechanics of a fantasy game but the whimsy, intelligence, and fun of a storybook. 100% my style. Character creation is fun and easy and I like the customization a lot, it allows for unique characters out of the gate. The rules are easy, the style and art are fantastic, and the game itself is a great deal of fun to play.
I've played two short solo sessions so far, but I really like the game. It's simple, but offers meaningful choices. I really like the random table for making story - it's not every day your quest is to "Promote Gardening Tool to a Journalist on an Island" or to acquire a recipe for a bewerage from a retired soldier.
Recommended.
Hi! There is no HP system. Getting Hurt works pretty much just as described: if a PC becomes Hurt during the game they have Disadvantage on any Action affected by the injury. So for example if they injured their arms they will become Hurt and have Disadvantage on any subsequent Actions that require the use of their arms (e.g. climbing, lifting a heavy object, etc.). Hurt can also be caused by emotional or psychological injuries (e.g. a PC’s pride or self-respect can be hurt). The Hurt condition can stack, meaning the more Hurt a PC becomes the more and more difficult it will become for them to perform Actions until they are healed and the condition/s removed. I hope that’s cleared things up 😊
Liked: * Artwork is great! * Your square-map is pretty and nicely organized. * All details are flavorful and cozy. Reminds me of Wanderhome superficially.
Concerns I had: * "Tight spots are high-risk situations where the PC must face a threat, such as a hazard or opponent...During a tight spot, all PC actions must be performed as luck rolls." I'm not too thrilled that most of the conflict in the game comes down to luck rolls. This feeling is only minutely diminished with the PbtA-styled roll resolution, putting yourself in a position of power to get advantage, or spending EP. * The weather table says to roll 1d6, but it has options for numbers > 6. * Can't tell if the rules are suggesting that you don't know what spell you're going to cast until after you do it. " To craft a Spell, roll 1d6 to determine the Descriptor table, then again for the descriptor. Next, roll 1d6 to determine the shape table, then again for the Shape. You decide what your Spell does, and what it looks/feels like." So I guess that, after you find your spell's Descriptor and Shape you can try to shoehorn said spell to fit the reason you cast the spell in the first place. "The Player must use the Spell generator roll tables from the Rulebook to determine what Spell they cast." * An example of play may help iron out some of these confusions.
Sharing a lovely review of Stravagante! by Steph C over at TTRPGKids: https://www.ttrpgkids.com/2024/03/28/review-of-stravagante/
Penflower Ink has created a truly great system. I have printed and assembled the books and pamphlets. The players love receiving a character sheet, character creation book and rulebook in their own envelope. Handing the Caster's Bay Setting Pamphlet physically to a person instantly creates a moment of awe and curiosity.
Having a TTRPG that literally fits in one's pocket makes for something that is at once accessible and simple, endearing and powerful. I have played solo while travelling (in the airport, on the plane, etc.). The simplicity of a d6 game is inviting to casual players that are unfamiliar with polyhedral dice.
I was searching for a simple TTRPG I could run with my 8-year old daughter and found Stravagante through some online reviews. I was really drawn to the art style, the simplicity of the system and the emphasis on storytelling and problem solving rather than combat.
So far we've played two sessions with an adventure I'd sketched out and we've been having a really fun time. I love the simple D6 rolls to see what happens and the complications table has added a lot of flavour and unexpected twists for consequences. Our adventure went in some unexpected ways with a diminutive littlekin gnome winning an arm wrestle against all odds, a chase through the alleys of a town to rescue a kidnapped Phoenix, and the so far unsolved mystery of the missing town mascot, an unusually large snail.
The spell making table also inspired some pretty wild spells including one we invented together that summons any animal you like but how helpful it is depends on a roll and if you roll a 1 it's the wrong animal entirely!
The booklets were also fun to put together and fit nicely in a travel pouch.
Really looking forward to more games from Penflower Ink!