https://systemxemotion.itch.io/the-ancient-ones-speak

Why should I pick up TAOS?
Have you ever wondered what a dungeon-crawl would be like if you had to talk to the bosses?

The Ancient Ones Speak (TAOS) is a game of tactical conversation-based gameplay that tests players' social and empathy skills, as well as their logic and reasoning capabilities. As players work to unpick "conversational puzzle boxes", a card-based system facilitates the Arbiter (the GM) taking the role of their eldritch opponent while ensuring the fairness of the interaction.

Between the Arbiter and the custom cards on the table, TAOS facilitates complex gameplay without the need for preparation time or up-front rules explanations to your players, so you can get straight into playing the tutorial campaign.

TAOS is a game with strong real-world connections; it allows players to explore their own identities, opinions, and experiences and make their mark upon a unique version of the human world. It is also a system where information (rather than battle prowess) is king; so while you keep track of how they are changing the world, they will be building maps of the relationships and motivations of ancient god-like beings.

In short: If you like the idea of players agonising over how to seduce the personification of The Public Opinion so that they can overturn an election result, this might be the game for you.

You keep your Boris Johnson, and I'll keep my YET-TO-BE-CERTIFIED Election results.
fnord.

Quote from: Lastremainingoracle on November 21, 2020, 06:09:26 AMHave you ever wondered what a dungeon-crawl would be like if you had to talk to the bosses?

Been there, done that and the players still rolled for initiative.

Quote from: Lastremainingoracle on November 21, 2020, 06:09:26 AM
The Ancient Ones Speak (TAOS) is a game of tactical conversation-based gameplay that tests players' social and empathy skills, as well as their logic and reasoning capabilities. As players work to unpick "conversational puzzle boxes", a card-based system facilitates the Arbiter (the GM) taking the role of their eldritch opponent while ensuring the fairness of the interaction.

Explain HOW this works at the table.

HOW does the Arbiter judge the success or failure of the player's Social vs Empathy vs Logic vs. Reasoning?

HOW does this work for a group of players instead of a 1on1 session?

Quote from: Lastremainingoracle on November 21, 2020, 06:09:26 AMBetween the Arbiter and the custom cards on the table, TAOS facilitates complex gameplay without the need for preparation time or up-front rules explanations to your players, so you can get straight into playing the tutorial campaign.

What do the custom cards do? Provide examples of play.

Quote from: Lastremainingoracle on November 21, 2020, 06:09:26 AMTAOS is a game with strong real-world connections; it allows players to explore their own identities, opinions, and experiences and make their mark upon a unique version of the human world.

This sounds like a therapy session masquerading as a game.

Quote from: Lastremainingoracle on November 21, 2020, 06:09:26 AMIn short: If you like the idea of players agonising over how to seduce the personification of The Public Opinion so that they can overturn an election result, this might be the game for you.

Players too dumb to understand the USA's election has been usurped by massive fraud are idiots not worth my time. FYI, public opinion does not overturn results. That's what happens when courts enforce the law.