Otherworld TRPG Game Master

256 – Otherworld TRPG -2

When does a person become deeply immersed in gambling and feel that dizzying dopamine rush?

It’s when they are desperate and yearning.

Truly, when there’s one goal you want to achieve so badly that you’d risk your life for it. When you’re at a loss for how to make it happen, the dice you roll in that moment contain all of humanity’s desires and emotions.

Of course, in a simple game meant for fun, there’s no intention to evoke that level of desperation.

Wouldn’t the meaning of play disappear if a knife fight broke out during a board game?

The crux is that the key to making a story enjoyable lies in ‘immersion’ and ‘motivation.’ I’m focusing on these two elements.

TRPG has a high and numerous entry barrier.

Scheduling, aligning preferences, learning the rules, mastering tools, creating character sheets… Among all those many obstacles, if I had to pick the hardest part for beginners.

“So, you mean I should act?”

“Are you telling me to think and speak as if I were someone else?”

“⋯⋯Hmph, how ridiculous⋯⋯.”

This is precisely the essence of role-playing.

If it were online chatting, it might be different, but when facing someone directly, a myriad of thoughts flood my mind. I feel awkward, shy, and stumble over my words.

It’s only natural. I felt the same way when I first started.

The key to dispelling this awkwardness is immersion. The moment I dive deeply into the story and a clear purpose emerges, the awkwardness fades away, leaving only the joy of the game.

“I suppose I must explain the background of this story.”

First, it’s about sparking interest.

“There was a fictional country called Lukelun. It was the undisputed hegemon of the continent, akin to an empire in reality. However, there was one thing that was utterly different… the emperor of Lukelun was a goblin.”

“⋯⋯The emperor is a goblin?”

“How could a goblin become an emperor?!”

“He was a remarkable anomaly. Born a genius in the body of a goblin. However, just as you might feel now… people didn’t particularly like the goblin emperor. After all, he was of a different race.”

And then, I connect this intrigue with a more direct emotion.

“The goblin emperor was a benevolent ruler, but at the same time, he cared deeply for his own kind—and for other races as well. That was his only flaw. He imposed legal restrictions on all hunting. Do not harm life recklessly.”

“So, you mean they couldn’t just go around exterminating orcs or trolls…?”

“It wasn’t a complete ban. It was just… a bit finicky. To hunt monsters, there had to be evidence of harm to humans, and proof had to be collected. Yes, it was a tough time for adventurers.”

From noble mtl dot com

Once I set the stage, it seemed the warrior and rogue were deep in thought about this fictional nation.

Even when they wanted to push back a goblin tribe, if they didn’t collect evidence that the goblins had harmed the villagers, it would be illegal. Adventuring had become several times more complicated.

“⋯⋯In that case, we definitely need a clever party member like a wizard. Even now, it’s hard to recruit wizards, and then the compensation ratio would be…”

“Exactly. Some arrogant wizards would demand up to 50% of the loot for themselves. They’d say, if you can’t resolve the legal issues, you won’t earn anything anyway.”

“Honestly, desk-bound wizards are a problem everywhere. Oh, no, I didn’t mean that to you, dear wizard. What I meant was, there are some like that…”

“From this background, a new profession called detective emerged in the world.”

If you make a soldier play a military TRPG, it’s not fun. By the same logic, making adventurers engage in a dragon-hunting adventure TRPG might yield little effect.

So, I added a spoonful of intellectual thrill to the parts they likely hadn’t experienced in their lives. The feeling of unraveling a mystery is addictive.

The concept of this session is a fantasy adventure sprinkled with a bit of detective work.

“You all gathered at the inn──”

Let’s build it up step by step. I’ll let them step into the story with familiar sentiments, allowing them to connect with the characters.

It’s a shame there’s no illusion magic. But this, too, has its own fresh feelings and romance that make my heart race.

I delve deeply into the players’ hearts, discovering the stories they wish to experience. Then, I weave it harmoniously with the concept.

And as much as I adapt to the players, I guide them to adapt to me. I inform them of the limits of what they can do, solidifying an unspoken agreement.

“⋯⋯I will sneak in and rob the shop⋯⋯.”

“Are you really going to do that? Very well. Roll the dice⋯⋯ let’s see if you can avoid detection by the guards.”

Actions can come with demerits.

“My character has high charm, so it’s only natural that women would fall for him at first sight!”

“That’s true. If you have that much charm to captivate someone at first glance, even other men would fall in love!”

“⋯⋯That doesn’t seem quite right.”

It’s fine to use character settings, but let’s not go overboard.

If we gently roll the snowball like this⋯⋯.

—-

I cackled wickedly in a raspy voice.

“The goblin people have spoken. Kihihihihi! So what can you do about it? It was my foolish kin who raided the village. Not me. In a situation with no evidence or witnesses⋯⋯ are you going to break the law and try to kill me?”

“To destroy an entire village so horrifically and still be so brazen, you goblin! I can’t stand it; I will jump on that goblin’s face and chop him with my axe!”

“Stop. A goblin with enough intelligence to concoct such a scheme might have set a trap! Didn’t you say that law enforcement had come to this city⋯⋯?”

“Damn it, what’s the point of protecting the weak if it means defending a vile b*stard—!!”

The warrior vented his frustration. The law of the Goblin Emperor had them bound. The circumstances were clear, and the culprit was right in front of them. But without evidence or witnesses, they could not punish him.

Even though it was clear that a tragedy orchestrated by the shadowy goblin had occurred, they were powerless⋯⋯!

The moment they broke the law and tore the shadowy goblin apart without evidence, the law enforcement would come to attack them to arrest the criminals.

In this harsh reality, the warrior pounded his chest in frustration, and Selvia also clenched her fists tightly.

The thief smiled bitterly and said.

“⋯⋯Hmph, I might as well ambush him⋯⋯.”

“Then you’ll end up in prison. All the career of an adventurer you’ve built up until now will vanish! And what about Nella, who’s waiting in the village? You said you would confess when you returned!”

“⋯⋯If I roll a pure 20 on the dice, I won’t be caught. And, the thief suits prison⋯⋯ she’ll find a better match⋯⋯.”

“Hey. In that case, I’ll get my hands dirty! I have no one waiting for me, and honestly, I’m tired of being an adventurer!”

Is sacrifice the only choice for righteous adventurers? Does their journey end with someone going to prison? When a shadow fell over their faces.

“Wait a minute. Does everyone remember the first village?”

“The merchant got caught up in the orc’s schemes. Luckily, there was a recording modification device⋯⋯ could it be that the goblin people were tracking the villagers for that reason?”

“⋯⋯Hmph, was there something decisive left at the scene⋯⋯?”

A glimmer of hope ignited. Perhaps there was still crucial evidence that could completely turn this unfavorable situation around.

“Then, Master. We will go back to the scene of the incident!”

“Let’s buy a detector and reagents from the magic tool shop before we go. Just in case!”

I clapped my hands.

“Yes, so you will return to the scene for a counterattack. Can you truly judge the mastermind behind this incident, the Goblin Min? Well then, let’s wrap it up here for today.”

“Why?!”

“Why are you stopping now?!”

“Because… we’ve arrived. We came here to work, after all.”

I gestured towards the logging site. I could see the lumberjacks, who had been eagerly waiting for adventurers to deal with the goblins, pacing anxiously at the entrance.

“…Can’t we just watch the ending?”

“Yes. We need to get to work first.”

Isn’t it a reversal of priorities to slack off when we came to earn money? As I crossed my arms and stood firm, the warrior scratched his bald head, expressing his disappointment. The rogue also seemed a bit sulky.

Then Selvier, representing the group, cautiously asked, “Hey, once we finish the job, we can resume, right?”

“Right?”

“…Hmph, is that so…?”

“Really? If we just take down the goblins, we can keep going?!”

The eyes of the three lit up. Their expressions turned serious, filled with determination. It was as if they had the look of gamers about to embark on a speedrun.

As we approached the logging site, a lumberjack warmly greeted us.

“Here we are! Thank you for coming. The goblins have been such a nuisance that we haven’t been able to work. We’ve prepared a simple meal, so please, take a moment to rest…”

“This isn’t the time for a meal. Tell us the location!”

“…Excuse me?”

“We’re busy catching Goblin Min, so tell us where the goblin village is!”

The lumberjack looked bewildered at the 100% motivated adventurers. Normally, wouldn’t they take it easy for a day or two? Why are they so passionate? That seemed to be his thought.

“I’ll guide you to the village. If you go straight this way…”

“Faster! Just tell us the direction!”

“Uh, well…”

“Faster!!”

The warrior grabbed the lumberjack and tucked him under his arm, dashing into the forest. The rogue and Selvier followed suit without hesitation.

I stood there, staring blankly at the three of them kicking up a cloud of dust, then snapped back to reality and hurriedly started running. It’s urgent, but shouldn’t we be going together?!

—-

Arriving at the goblin village like a runaway train, the party boldly declared to their faces.

“Based on the testimony of the lumberjack, we will conduct an emergency extermination of your goblin village. From this moment on, you have the right to remain silent! You may appoint a defense attorney!”

“⋯⋯Hmph, if you can chatter, then go ahead and chatter. There’s already evidence and witnesses, so all that’s left is for the dagger to rust away⋯⋯.”

“If you won’t make excuses, I will carry out the execution. With the flames of justice!”

“Kieeek⋯⋯?”

Even the goblins, who were preparing for battle, seemed intrigued by the chatter directed at them, chattering among themselves in a curious manner.

The lumberjack, who had been brought along like a piece of cargo for navigation, looked equally bewildered.

“Why are you talking to the goblins⋯⋯?”

“No excuses! Yes, it has been clearly revealed, so there’s no way you could make excuses. You will die according to the laws of Lukelrn!”

“Where is Lukelrn⋯⋯.”

“Let’s go! It’s time for the detective mercenary squad-!!”

The ensuing battle was easy and straightforward. With a high-tier power included in the party, victory was a foregone conclusion, but the contributions of the rugged warrior and the sly rogue were significant. They fought hard, and their efficiency increased accordingly.

“『Flame Spear』. 『Flame Spear』.”

I wasn’t just idling around either. I supported from the back, firing off flame magic. After about ten minutes, there were no goblins left in the village.

“That was incredibly quick. Alright, then let’s go back and continue the session-.”

“⋯⋯Hmph, since the work is done. Resume as promised⋯⋯.”

“Are you serious? Here? I’m supposed to continue the goblin hunt here⋯⋯? You must be joking.”

“This is no joke. We’ve reached an agreement. Now it’s your turn to work, Master! You need to find the evidence and split that damned goblin’s head in two!”

When I glanced at Selbier, she seemed eager for the next part of the story as well.

I was fine with it. With the players so passionate, how could the game master take a step back? I set up the scene and resumed the session.

“Alright. You remember where we left off, right? The trio of detective mercenaries was making a return visit to the crime scene to catch a lead. So then⋯⋯.”

“⋯⋯Um, why aren’t you going back⋯⋯?”

Since we had suddenly started the session while setting up, the lumberjack stood there dumbfounded, wondering what was going on. Not wanting to return alone, he sat nearby and waited.

And by the time we finished the session and headed back to the village…

“I think being a detective is quite a wonderful job. In fact, there was a bread theft incident in our village, and now that I think about it, based on the traces left in the kitchen, I would guess──”

Another detective had joined the ranks of Lukelrn.