Mythic Bastionland & A Simple Way To Get Into Character

I got a chance to play Mythic Bastionland on Sunday. Thanks to Mike for GMing.

The game is quite different, especially from D&D-esque systems, and for that reason I recommend trying it out.

As knights, we wander the realm, seek out myths, and earn glory. With enough glory, we get promoted up the knightly ranks and may someday have holdings of our own, at which time we initiate domain mode.

I’m playing a Hive Knight with a Root Bow. If I suffer a lot of damage, I can chop my own head off, wait a day, and return from my chrysalis fully healed. I serve the Scar Seer and have a mighty steed.

There’s also a fun political angle. I’m not sure if the GM added this himself or if it’s baked into the game, but the realm is leaderless and various knights have put their helms into the ring and vie for rulership.

For example, we were asked to swear fealty to the Horned Knight. Thankfully, Sir Gregor of the Blood Oak (played by Jochen) eloquently declined while garnering us a mission at the same time, without making any enemies.

The rules are simple and, from a player perspective, span just a few pages.

It’s a roll-under system where stats are also damage meters. We must roll equal to or under our stat on a d20 for skills and most actions. If a character takes damage or suffers another effect, a stat drops.

Combat is quick, theatre of the mind, with several tactical options through its Feats and Gambits system. Each choice has a potential cost, and that makes a Thinker-type player like me happy. Attacks and damage are a single dice pool roll. Take the highest die, add modifiers, and that’s the damage you do.

My main struggle last session was roleplaying my guy. For example, I had trouble translating Spirit 3 (out of 20) into a personality while speaking to a high-ranking Elephant Knight.

So I asked myself, What behaviours would a character with Spirit this low have? I came up with five ideas, kept three, and wrote them on my charsheet to help me out:

  • Direct
  • Unfeeling
  • Foot In Mouth

My Hive Knight.

This isn’t in the rules, just personal guidance. It gives me a simple way to get into character. And it works for any game system. Have a Charisma dump stat of 8? Write a trio of suitable behaviours and role with them.

I’m looking forward to next session. We’re hunting the mythical Imp, a foe who’s been making our lives difficult of late. Wish us luck.

Cheers,
Johnn
roleplayingtips.com
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