1. Introduction

1.1. What is Open Tale?

Open Tale is not a game per se… it’s a system to build stories with. What this means is that the GM and the players are free to compose their own atmosphere. For instance: when players are creating their characters, they can go in as much detail as they like, be it in terms of personality of physical appearance. However, this website focuses as much as possible on the system itself, leaving the rest for your imagination.

Although Open Tale focuses on providing a fair system with interesting mathematical unfoldings, there must be a strong commitment to simplicity, dynamism and flexibility. When we’re gathered around a table to play RPGs, we want to be amazed by innovative stories and epic battles. We want to feel the impact of great challenges. We want to laugh and be surprised.

Such emotions require a certain timing that can easily be lost if the players have to constantly check the ruleset to make sure that nobody is breaking the system. As opposed to that, Open Tale is aligned with a call for uninterruptible fun.

To accomplish that, there is a key aspect that the GM should be mindful during gameplay: every roll matters. This principle was well emphasized in Open Legend - the initial source of inspiration for Open Tale - and it makes total sense.

Rolls have two fundamental purposes in Open Tale:

  • Resolve conflicts of interests between characters;
  • Surpass challenges proposed by the GM.

So, for example, if a character is attacking another, there exists a conflict of interest regarding the damage that can be dealt. Or if a character is trying to pick the lock of a treasure chest, the GM needs to define the minimum score to open it.

It is recommended for the GM to lead the story in a way that every roll matters. In other words, failing at challenges should not result in empty outcomes. “So I try to open it again…”, how fun is that? Instead, try to lead the party to unexpected situations as in “You hear the lock crack open, but you feel the rise of an intimidating presence behind you” or “You hear a strange sound coming from the lock and now you’re unable to manouver it because it’s completely stuck”. When success is rewarded and failure has no trade-off, it feels dull and mechanical.

1.2. Why Open Tale?

Free, open source and collaborative

First of all, Open Tale is completely open source. But why a software license instead of a gaming license? you might ask. Good question! The reason is that the content of Open Tale can be understood as code: more specifically, markdown files on Github. So anyone can literally download it, modify and publish a new version, a right guaranteed by the Apache License 2.0.

Also, the fact that it’s open source makes it easier for the community to build it together. Discussions and different points of view are enriching if we aim high, try different ideas and express how it felt.

Unified distance unit system

Although using feet as the standard unit for distances is very common, not everyone is familiar with it. Thus, instead of using ft for distances, Open Tale uses du, which means “distance unit”.

The distance of 1 du can be understood as one square or one hexagon on crafted maps. Therefore, 1 du can also be converted to 5 feet or approximately 1.5 meters.

Quick resolve

Events in Open Tale resolve very quickly, which makes it a lot easier for the players and the GM to keep track of what’s happening. This aspect of the system mitigates cases in which we forget to add this or subtract that due to something that happened ages ago. It’s a way to free memory and focus on the present moment.

Conflicts that resolve quickly also bring another element into gameplay: dynamism. No good or bad option is either good or bad forever. This encourages the players to stay tunned and always reassess their choices.

A raceless and classless system

You’re free to build a character the way you want. Why does the wizard always have to be the wisest or the smartest one? Now you can create a super erudite orc who shoots bows and reads a book a day. Fighters and even magicians can be highly mobile. You’re also free to come up with an entirely new race if the GM agrees!

Character customization in Open Tale is inspired by Ragnarok Online, with skills and attributes that increase their potential. Therefore you just need to plan out the attributes, the skills and, of course, the personality that will compose your character. The more Open Tale matures, the more possibilities will be available.

That being said, let’s get started!