Grimmloch, an RPGLit Outtake
This represents actual gameplay design, not aspirational marketing
I've been in Alderwen for about a week now, and I'm starting to realize this place works differently than I expected.
The baker called me by name this morning. Used the nickname I told her, not my full character name. She slid a loaf across the counter and waved off payment, said it was for helping the herbalist last week. I didn't think she'd even noticed I was there that night, but apparently word got around. She seems to actually like me now - not "quest complete, relationship +10" - she just acts friendlier.
There's some type of quest happening this week about dragon rumors. The NPCs won't shut up about it. The innkeeper's telling different versions to different people - dramatic for the adventurous types, reassuring for the worried ones. Yesterday I watched another player (an Alfar diplomat from the Aelfyn Sith faction) try to convince the town's faction commander to negotiate with the dragon instead of fighting. The commander listened but kept glancing at his advisors, weighing what his superiors would think. He didn't commit to anything - just said he'd "consider it" in that way that means he's not sure yet. The Alfar player walked away frustrated but said she'd try again and bring a bottle of his favorite mead. I asked how she knew his favorite means and she said, "I asked his wife". Apparently you can't just show up and expect NPC leaders to follow your suggestions.
Later I ran into the town blacksmith. We got along great yesterday when I helped him move some supplies. Today he was chatty until a guard with a red armband passed by the window and gave him a look. The blacksmith suddenly waved me off, said he had urgent work to finish. I noticed they were both wearing the same insignia - Red Dawn. Do they know each other? Maybe the guard doesn't like fey?
I know this game doesn't use dialogue trees - it's just like chatting with an AI in character. But are they actually forming personal opinions? The baker doesn't care what I am - she cares that I helped her friend. The blacksmith likes me personally but someone in his faction clearly has a problem with me being here. This is wild.
A player named Kael (playing some kind of giant) tested something similar. Went to the next town over in disguise, gave a different name. Nobody there recognized him they don't know anything about him. We compared notes in the tavern later - you can apparently build completely separate identities in different places if you're careful about it.
The herbalist asked me to help negotiate with Alvor for timber permissions. Not because I'm high level - because I'm playing a dryad and she thinks forest spirits will respond better to me than to the human logger. The spirits did respond differently. They told me the town's been over-harvesting and they don't trust the logger's promises anymore.
I had to choose: lie to make everyone happy short-term, tell the truth and create friction, or escalate to the town council. I told the logger what the spirits actually said. He wasn't thrilled but agreed to try selective cutting if I'd vouch for him. Now when I see him around town, he's... complicated toward me? Grateful but slightly resentful. Not a binary outcome - just a messy relationship that's going to keep existing. I wonder what his favorite drink is, the last thing a dryad needs is an angry logger with an axe.
Combat happened today. Bandits on the road - three of them jumped me and two other players. A combat bar appeared next to my chat window, and I had four actions to declare. I clicked movement to close distance, then three attacks. The system asked if I wanted to write my own combat post or use a template.
I tried writing it myself - described charging forward with my staff, sweeping low then striking high. When I submitted it, I noticed I got some kind of bonus compared to when I'd used templates before. The actual hit/miss wasn't binary - my attacks did partial damage based on how well they defended. One ran off. One bandit had really high defense; barely scratched him.
And he didn't die! He actually bent the knee and offered to give me his purse if I'd let him go. I thought about killing him but he said he'll come back anyway, but the journey on the Worm-Road is awful, and begged me not to. He didn't have much on him and seemed down on his luck. I wondered if I could ask him to come to the inn and let me buy him a meal. Holy shit he actually did! Now he's asked to work for me!
The other players and I split the loot after, talked about build strategies. One of them uses clubs - said they hit harder but are terrible at defensive responses. I'm using a staff which lets me cast magic, but apparently I could switch to a sword if I wanted better parrying.
Tomorrow the herbalist invited me for dinner to discuss the timber situation. The logger said he'll meet me at the grove in the afternoon to check on the spirits' response. And that Alfar player messaged me asking if I'd come watch her second attempt to convince the commander - apparently she thinks having witnesses might pressure him to actually commit. I doubt that will matter but who knows, this game is like real life just far more interesting.
I can't wait to see what happens next.