Road to Romance - Metatopia Playtest 1

By Alex White

- 17 minutes read - 3454 words
The first Metatopia playtest of my in-development romance game

Players

Safety Discussion

We like to start with a safety discussion to make sure that we are all on the same page about elements which we would like to see (or would not like to see) in a game. Something which is new for this kind of game is the 'spicyness' level of a romance. We decided to cap the spicyness level at ‘sensual’. So our stories might be wholesome, sweet, or sensual, but not venture into ‘steamy’.

The adventures take us through six chapters of our story plus an epilogue. My four players sat in a circle and each played the protagonist of their own story, the paramour of the player to their right and the trouble of the player to their left. While playing, we ran the introduction for each story, the encounter for each story and so forth. For the purposes of writing up the stories here I have collected each set of chapters together to make cohesive stories.

Stories

  1. A Hallmark adventure love triangle
  2. A paranormal wartime romance
  3. A frontier comedy a belated love epiphany
  4. A victorian classic romance

The Fiancées Choice

A Hallmark Adventure love triangle.

Christie is our protagonist. She is wounded by insecurity and wants security. Played by Whitney.

Xander is our main paramour, a wounded hero whose wounds sometimes overcome him. Played by Brigitte.

Bryce Dallas is an additional paramour, a charming and magnetic personality. Played by Alex

Our trouble is a pre-existing relationship. Christie is engaged to be married! Played by Alessia.

Introduction

They are snowed in at a temple in the Himalayas. Christie has been leading a pilgrimage for the first time and it is all going wrong. They are snowed in and she thinks that she had to get to the destination in time to get married. This feeds into her insecurity. The pilgrimage is like a bachelor party, and everyone on the trip knows her partner. It will actually be a marriage at the end of the trip!

Encounter

The snow is piled up outside and there is nowhere to hide. People are stuck here but are still irritated more than frightened. Xander is a wounded hero, trying to keep spirits up as best as he can. Then he excuses himself and sits in a corner and turns away from everyone, silently crying. There is a love triangle in play here. Christie sees this and is about to go over when Bryce Dallas intervenes! “Hey girl, you’re doing a fabulous job. You’re keeping us together, and leading the trip really well. If you weren’t going to be married I’d be proposing myself. You’re fabulous. I’m saying it because it’s true. I dream of you.

Xander lets out an echoing sob and then buries his face.

Bryce says he’ll get a sing-song going to cheer people up.

Complications

Another couple of days have passed. The snow is still coming down and it is getting worse. But some messengers arrive. They say “Your future husband has sent help for you. Follow us because the wedding must happen”. Christie isn’t keen to leave the people she is responsible for. She insecurely tells the messengers that she might be a wife soon, but she is a friend first. She tears up a little.

Xander approachers her and says that it is an opportunity for her to be safe, and she should take that. Christie wants them to be there.

Xander and Christie both tear up.

First kiss

It’s the night before the wedding. Christie sits closer to Xander, and puts a hand on his side and says. “I know why I’m crying, but how can I help you?”. Xander is more concerned about her though. “It’s your marriage and you’re crying”.

Christie responds, wondering whether this is yet another bad sign. "It’s all gone wrong".

“Not everything” Xander says, and then he hurriedly looks away.

“What do you mean?” Christie asks.

“I shouldn’t say it” says Xander.

They are close together at the moment. It feels good. Calming. Christie touches foreheads, crying, and Xander cries too and kisses the tears off her face.

Catastrophe

The betrothed steps in with all the fuss and sees them kissing. And he isn’t angry. He is sincerely hurt. He looks at Xander “You were my best man” and at Christie “was this ever real? Or were you just running away?”

Bryce annoyingly shouts out “hey honey, how is it going?”

Christie says “I’m sorry. It wasn’t what I wanted”

Xander says it is all his fault. He is sorry and it was all a mistake, he didn’t mean it.

Bryce agrees - it is all Xander’s fault because Christie prefers him!

Christie says “this is why you can’t marry me”

“But I know my best man, and he doesn’t deserve you. You have been mean to me and you mustn’t be mean to him too. He is family to me. Christie feels that she is a really bad person… Xander has run off crying, Bryce despises her.

Happily ever after

The wedding didn’t happen. A year later both Christie and Xander found themselves at what was going to be the final destination of the wedding pilgrimage. Independently they both had an unresolved feeling in their hearts. Independently they chose to visit the dormant volcano which was the last destination before what was to be the wedding.

They eyes meet.

“It didn’t feel finished” Xander says

“I can leave” Christie replies

“This was your trip, we can… both be here?” Xander starts crying again.

“Why do you cry so much around me?” Christie asks.

“You make me feel so much”

“Feel what?”

“What do you think is happening with this volcano? It is cold up here, but there is a lot happening underneath.

Christie thinks it is like a mountain that got tired of waiting and gave up, and she doesn’t want it to be her story. “You deserve better than that, whether with me or anyone else. You are incredible - the most incredible person I’ve ever known… “ Xander trails off.

“Would you stay with me?” Christie asks.

“Yes” Xander grabs her hand and they look down into the volcano together. As they walk away we see a crack with a little bit of glow from the lava underneath.

The Last Patient

A WW2 Paranormal Romance

Protagonist: Susan. A nurse wounded by family scars, and in need of healing. Played by Brigitte.

Paramour: Captain Barbara Carol. Played by Dustin.

Trouble: Misunderstanding. Played by Whitney.

Introduction

The scene opens in a hospital room with an open window,. It is snowing outside and the hospital recently suffered an epidemic and everyone in the hospital has left. She has a background as someone who discovered her worth through caretaking. Her mother raised her alone, and Susan earned love by her care for their mother. She is caring for someone who is dead - but Susan thinks they are still alive. Captain Barbara Carol is the only one left and needs care. Susan is the only one that wasn’t affected by the contagion.

Encounter

It is morning and Captain Barbara Carol is lying on the hospital bed. Susan is there, and is the muse to the spirit of Barbara. As Susan comes in, like every day, there is a fresh, different painting on the easel And it's a picture of Susan.

Complications

Barbara doesn’t know she is deceased. Susan finds a painting this day of someone else. Someone she recognises. Another nurse. A family member. Her mother! A perfect painting of her mother as a young woman before the war, in her flower of youth. Smiling (Susan has never seen her smile). Without even thinking about Susan rips the painting off the easel and throws it into the snow. She shouts ‘how could you’ and storms out.

First kiss

Susan enters the hospital room carrying the damaged canvas. She has done her best to repair it. She sits on the edge of the bed. She sees that it is really beautiful and she had never seen her mother this way.

She hears a ghostly voice behind her which says “She had hoped that you would see her this way in time”.

Susan takes a breath, trying not to cry. Then realises the voice was behind her. There is a chill down her body that… and she kind of likes it. The spirit of Barbara drifts closer and the sensation intensifies.

Catastrophe

While the sexy shivers are going on, an enemy plane drops an incendiary bomb which crashes through the window. Fire climbs up the wall with the painting of Susan, blocks off the doorway and licks at the bed. Susan and Barbara are trapped in here. Desperate to save Barbara she drags her towards the window despite being small and Barbara is much taller than her. Choking on the smoke she hopes that despite the second floor window being high they will be able to get out. Then with a crash the ceiling comes down, she is pushed out the window and releases Barbara. She lands in the snow and sees the hospital burning down.

Happily ever after

Susan’s world is burning in front of her. Everything that she had been keeping together. She is somehow uninjured after falling two stories. She feels again the chill at the back of her neck which is now familiar. Turning round, Susan looks down and can see her body on the ground, and there is a moment of despair before looking up and she can see Barbara clearly.

Barbara is finally able to say all the things on her heart. They come bursting forth. The love and care which she experienced at Susan’s care. There is so much she wants to say and tell and show.

Susan is trying to process this when she realises that she can feel Barbara’s hand; the chill which she had felt is now heat, a full body heat. They look down at their hands clasped together.

Barbara says “I know this must be a shock, but I will walk with you and I’ll always hold your hand. We will figure out what happens next when we get there.”

Susan says “This is everything I want” and they start kissing.

Buddy Bronco

A Romantic Comedy on the Wild West Frontier

Protagonist: Buddy Bronco, wounded by unresolved anger and wanting recognition. Played by Dustin.

Paramour: Bonnie, a bandit leader and independent woman - perhaps too independent for Buddy. Played by Alessia.

Trouble: Buddy’s existing relationship with his horse (don’t ask). Played by Brigitte.

Introduction

We see a typical western town. The view zooms down the road to saloon with a horse tied up outside. The piano is dusty and sunlight streams in. There are a few people grumbling around in the bar. One man sits there doing shots of warm milk and honey. It is Buddy Bronco. He is 5ft 1” with a very large hat. He fancies himself a real rough gunslinger. He has been part of a few posse’s and thinks he knows what he is doing. His trouble is his horse - a talking horse - which leans around the door, gazes at buddy and reminds him that this place is too good for him.

Encounter

It is silent. Perhaps too silent. Then someone shouts “stop her” and a woman has stolen Buddy’s horse. Buddy dashes out and sees this. Because he’s a man of action he says "hey". His paramour Barbara is running off with his horse! She was a bandit who has known him for a while, and wanted him to join the gang… but he hasn’t been lured in. Watching her run away he realises that he is excited by the idea of someone stealing something from him.

Complications

Buddy is pursuing Bonnie on the stolen horse, when it comes to a sudden stop. “Gotta save myself, I guess” says the horse “although I’m tempted to just leave with her”. Buddy says “Do it. I’m calling your bluff”. Bonnie is very independent. Buddy’s anger bubbles to the surface. He doesn’t want the horse to saddle him with guilt. Bonnie gets back on, the horse takes one more look at Buddy and then gallops off. Buddy says “Hey…” again. “Why can’t you see me for who I truly am?”

First kiss

Jump forward in time. Buddy and Bonnie are sitting around a campfire on the prairie. There is a different horse in view. Buddy’s horse doesn’t like that! Buddy is having a frank conversation with Bonnie. he can see the fire inside of her and fears that he wants to douse it. But he doesn’t. He wants to chase after her.

Bonnie likes the chase. She says “The chase is only interesting if there is a chance that you might catch me. But you never do”.

“I’m here aren’t I?”

She stays put “but you are not catching me, not even now”

The horse snickers

“If that’s really how you feel about it, there is not much I can say. I’ll get on one of these horses and go” Buddy tips his hat, stumbles as he is getting up and falls on top of her - face to face.

Bonnie slightly smiles “It’s not that far now”

Buddy leans in for the kiss.

Catastrophe

In the middle of the kiss the horse loses his sassiness and says in a sorrowful voice “just be with her then” and runs off.

“Hey” says Buddy.

Looking over its shoulder the horse doesn’t see the cliff and runs over the edge.

“Horse!” shouts Buddy.

Without his Bronco, Buddy Bronco is only half a man. Running to the edge there is a precipitous drop to the raging river below. “Stupid horse, why would you do that? I only know the value of things that are ripped away from me”

Back at the campfire Bonnie is trying to decide whether the problem is not just the loss but that Buddy isn’t fighting for anything. She starts to regret the kiss. It isn’t his anger which is a problem (anger is a turn-on for her!) but it is the unresolved state of the anger. His inaction in the face of things is what she can’t stand.

We see Buddy throwing a tantrum because he doesn’t know what to do with his anger.

Bonnie meanwhile starts to take action, climbing down the cliff to see if she can find the horse, and fending off rocks that Buddy’s kicking is showing down on her.

Happily ever after

Down below they see horse - still alive - but heading towards a terrible waterfall. Buddy turns his anger to something productive and puts concerted efforts into toppling a dead tree which falls down and makes a barrier across the river. Buddy makes his way down and rescues horse from the tumult and for the first time the horse allows himself to be led and looks at Buddy with respect.

Bonnie had tried to get into the river to help the horse and is now in danger herself. Buddy hears her cry for help and says “I can do this all day” and tells the horse that he had been so concerned about people saw him that he had never been looking out to see what other people needed. He pushes several more logs into the river and saves Bonnie. She walks out soaked and angry “I could have saved myself!” - which is absolutely not true! Buddy just nods, then climbs up on his horse and extends a hand.

“Well, are you coming or not?”

Bonnie takes his hand and rides off with him.

An Unexpected Love

A Classic Victorian Romance

Protagonist: Florence, distraught at the loss of her love, hoping for true love. Played by Alessia.

Paramour: Xandira, a courtesan of remarkable beauty and poise. Played by Whitney.

Trouble: Florence’s mother, who is trying to control her life. Played by Dustin.

Introduction

Florence has been crying for days. She has just received news that her lover has died in the war, and she had refused his offer of marriage. She hadn’t been sure of her feelings, although her mother was keen on the marriage… but now he is dead and she feels guilty. He mother is far too invested in her relationship, a real busybody. Trying to control everything. She wants Florence to get married soon.

Encounter

Florence is walking down the street with her mother. Ahead there is a bustle of men around a fabulously elegant courtesan, Xandira. Every step she takes is walking on the clouds. Her head is held up high and there is glitter on her skin. Every man is gazing after her. She slowly turns her head towards Florence and smiles gently. Florence stops, looks at her for a long time, then turns to her mother and says in a low voice “I hate her. How am I supposed to marry if everyone is following her?” Mother says she will sort something out.

Complications

Mother expects Florence to be happy with the wonderful news she brings. An arranged marriage! Florence is still mourning though. Mother thinks she needs to get over him and he wasn’t any good. Now reason to be upset.

"But he died" says Florence.

Mother is glad that it happened which shocks Florence

Florence considers turning to the church, but mother wants her to see the men she has lined up. Florence acquiesces. Who should I marry?

Mother has employed Xandira the courtesan to help her understand how to talk to the men well.

First kiss

It is a couple of weeks later. Xandira has been tutoring her and they are getting tea in a tea shop. Florence lashes out “Why are you still here?!’ Xandira casually adds sugar to her tea. “My darling, don’t you know?” She replies.

“Don’t you have any kind of conscience in this? Why are you toying with my family in this way?”

“Toying is not the right word my darling. I’m trying to save you”

“Save me from what?”

“Your mother”

Florence stops. Looks at the closed door. “Why do you care?”

“Men are a leash and collar enough. We don’t need your mother doing that too”

Florence seems confused. She stays silent for a minute and then without announcing it steps in for a kiss. Xandira complies, the tables are knocked aside, cutlery goes flying…

Catastrophe

Later, Mother storms into Florence’s bedroom and finds them together “The wedding is planned. How could you! Out of this house!”

Florence is contrite. “I’m sorry mother. I’m sorry, you know best”

“I do” Mother had thought Florence was going to stand up to her, and is terrified of losing control of the situation. “I knew this would happen and Lord Dauntless is coming back and you WILL marry him”

“As you wish, mother”

As Florence is getting out of bed, Xandira grabs her wrist “You don’t have to wear the collar any more. You can stay”

“You do not understand” Florence replies. “You… are not noble”

Xandira lets go, crushed.

Happily ever after

A whole year has passed. Xandira never heard from Florence, but then in the middle of the night there is a furious knocking at the door, and she hears her name being screamed. Xandira opens the door in a stunning nightgown and holding a candelabra. She sees Florence covered in blood saying “I’ve killed her”

Xandira leans outside to make sure nobody heard and coaxes her inside. Draws her a nice hot bath. Florence is in shock, but keeps saying “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. She was a mean woman who destroyed my life, Henry’s life, she deserved it, but I don’t know what to do”.

Even a year on Florence still hasn’t been married because her mother kept changing her mind.

Xandira helps her bathe, and says “I’m proud of you for setting yourself free”

“I don’t just want to be free. I want to be with you”

“Well, this is your home now too” as Xandira kisses her on the nose. “But where is the body now?”

Playtest Insight

During this playtest we noticed that the tropes that the protagonists picked up at the start of the game didn't really influence the stories much. There wasn't someone who owned the trope cards and were driving them forwards.

It seemed that the game could be slightly simplified and improved by removing the trope cards and pushing the information into appropriate places - for instance, whether the paramour starts as a rival, an enemy, a friend or and ex-lover could belong to the paramour. Whether a scene is 'trapped in an elevator' could become a setting location and so forth.